Max Grant
Catacombs 3
2018

About the Item

Taking inspiration from Robert Mapplethorpe, Max Grant's Catacomb images look at the macabre beauty of the human anatomy, recollecting his time in the Paris Catacombs. This collection, a culmination of Grant's innate ability to bring out the hidden narratives in the silent echoes of time, showcases the catacombs as more than just an ossuary, but as an integral part of Parisian history. The use of black and white photography underscores his focus on the stark reality of mortality, while also highlighting the inherent beauty found within the catacombs' intricate designs. Each image in the series is a journey into the cryptic labyrinth beneath the bustling city of Paris, where over six million souls rest. Grant's keen eye for details captures the haunting beauty of the skeletal arrangements, the curvature of the skulls, and the endless rows of bones. His deliberate use of shadows and light creates an intimate portrayal of this underworld, emphasizing the eerie silence that belies the catacombs' morbid past. The high contrast black and white images make the viewers feel as if they are stepping back in time, making the viewing experience both unsettling and fascinating. But it's not just the representation of death and history that makes Max Grant's work so compelling. His artwork unveils the catacombs as a testament to humanity's resilience and a symbol of life's ephemeral nature. Grant masterfully uses the catacombs' history of plague, revolution, and transformation as a metaphor for the cyclical nature of life and death. His photography, while somber in theme, is ultimately a celebration of life – reminding us all to cherish our existence in the face of its inevitable end. The series is not just a visual treat, but a poignant reminder of our mortality and the transient beauty of life.

Creator:

Max Grant (1983)

Creation Year:

2018

Dimensions:

Height: 30 in (76.2 cm)Width: 24 in (60.96 cm)

More Editions & Sizes:

37.5 x 30Price: $8,500

Medium:

Photographic Paper

Movement & Style:

American Modern