Le mystère de la chambre invisible. A propos de quelques photographies érotiques de Helmut Newton. (The Mystery of the Invisible Chamber)

Certain of the photographs of Helmut Newton retain the cliches
of sado-masochism, while others refer to narcissistic games
reflected in mirrors and the languid glances of the models;
others have numerous analogies with pictorial traditions and
religious sculpture. Realising that it is a frequent occurance
that the photographer's strongest images are born of these three
preoccupations, the author situates the convergeance of these
themes in an idealisation of women who are placed beyond- or
somewhat short of - the difference of sexes. Evidence is found
in Newton's style itself which is impregnated with the contrast
in surface and depth harking back more to a world of symbolic
correspondance than to a corporeal imagery. In concentrating his
analysis on certain photographs (in particular Valentine Place,
which he compares in composition to the Olympia of Manet) the
author shows that their power of fascination is organised by the
vision of a world where woman is constantly situated in het
sexual incompleteness, not that the latter shows any sign of
needing another body which is different and complementary.
(Amended published abstract, French)