Martin Chambi: An eye on Peru
Portraitist and documentary maker, the great Martin Chambi was the Peruvian king of photography. Vogue Paris guest star, Mario Testino pays tribute to this photography genius in the April 2013 issue, now on stands.
1/10The Alta Moda exhibit by Mario Testino set to hit Lima soon gives a rightful nod to Peruvian photographer Martin Chambi. This Peruvian photography giant, unparalleled portraitist and the first person to use postcards in Peru - a way for him to commercialize his work - was born in 1891 in Puno situated in the southeast of Peru, to a peasant family who spoke Quechua, the most common indigenous language in Latin America. Above, Group of women, Cuzco, 1928. Photo courtesy photo archive Martin Chambi Cusco – Peru. www.martinchambi.org Group of women, Cuzco, 1928.
2/10It was in a gold mine in the region of Carabaya where the young Martin Chambi discovered photography and decided to make it his profession. In 1908 the photographer moved to Arequipa, the second biggest city in Peru, where he collaborated with the Vargas brothers at the Max T. Vargas studio, one of the most popular in the town. Nine years later, he opened his own studio in the Puno region and photographed his very first postcard in November 1917, and after three years, he moved to Cuzco, the ancient Inca capital. Above, Self portrait in his studio, Cuzco, 1923. Photo photos courtesy photo archive Martin Chambi Cusco – Peru. www.martinchambi.org Self portrait in his studio, Cuzco, 1923.
3/10Chambi's strength in composition and lighting which he developed in Arequipa are evident in his portraits, but creating portraits in Cuzco of Church-goers in their Sunday's Best - whether foreigners from Europe or Peruvian indians - started to become mundane for the photographer. Above, Don Julio Gadea's marriage, prefect of Cuzco, 1930. photos courtesy photo archive Martin Chambi Cusco – Peru. www.martinchambi.org Don Julio Gadea's marriage, prefect of Cuzco, 1930.
4/10Chambi closed up shop and took his camera to the streets, factories, villages and ruins that surrounded Cuzco, starting with the citadel of Machu Picchu which the historian Hiram Binghama had discovered and made public a few years earlier. These photographs taken by Chambi would be a part of his international prestige, and the start of this archeological site's legendary reputation. Above, nude, Cuzco, 1936. Photo courtesy photo archive Martin Chambi Cusco – Peru www.martinchambi.org Nude, Cuzco, 1936.
5/10A Peruvian promoter without realizing it, Chambi was also - and above all - an extraordinary documentarist. Each of his photos is a small work of art, they are also an exceptional witness to his Peruvian life during the 1920s and 1930s. Throughout his work we see peasants, young married couples, pan flute players, families in traditional dress, and agricultural workers. Above, Estela Iberico, habitant of Cuzco, 1935. Photo courtesy photo archive Martin Chambi Cusco – Peru. www.martinchambi.org Estela Iberico, habitant of Cuzco, 1935.
6/10His photographs make up a striking, yet never pretentious kaleidoscope of black and white which perfectly captures with curiosity and the magic of photography, the fleeting moments of life. Above, Folk group, Cuzco, 1931. Photo courtesy photo archive Martin Chambi Cusco – Peru. www.martinchambi.org Folk group, Cuzco, 1931.
7/10Above, Qeromarca peasant and her child, Cuzco, 1934. Photo courtesy photo archive Martin Chambi Cusco – Peru www.martinchambi.org See an exclusive interview with Mario Testino and his homage to Martin Chambi in Vogue Paris April 2013, now on stands. Qeromarca peasant and her child, Cuzco, 1934.
8/10Mario Testino photographed Isabeli Fontana on this very same staircase for Vogue Paris April 2013. photo courtesy photo archive Martin Chambi Cusco – Peru www.martinchambi.org Young bride in the Montès home, Cuzco, 1928.
