The New French President has his official
portrait. It was done by Raymond Depardon, a 69 year old
photographer considered to be a political photographer. He was previously involved
in the election of former président Valéry Giscard d'Estaing.
Mr. Holland is pictured outside, standing in the garden sourounding Champs Elysée, the Frenc h equivalent of the White House. Paris Match, a French newspaper stated that the new French president does not look serious or thoughtful on the picture. The French flag looks hidden in the background next to the EU flag. Here are two revealing comments from the internet:
“Ridiculous ! His arms hang down. One who has copied Mitterrand
could have use him as an inspiration .... Who is this photographer anyway?”
“For me Mr Depardon was an excellent photographer, and then there is this picture of a desperate normality. Difficult to recognize the Élysée, our flag looks like clothes hung from a window, almost off-camera. As for Mr. Holland, for a first picture, I am very disappointed”
“For me Mr Depardon was an excellent photographer, and then there is this picture of a desperate normality. Difficult to recognize the Élysée, our flag looks like clothes hung from a window, almost off-camera. As for Mr. Holland, for a first picture, I am very disappointed”
Nicolas Sarkozy’s
picture, the former president, was taken in the presidency’s library a formal setting. Jacques chirac was the first to have his picture taken in the lawn with the presidency
in the background.
On his state portrait, Francois Mitterand
had a book of Montaigne’s essay's in his hands and pretending to read! I found that a bit
strange.
Giscard d’Estaing, Mitterand's predecessor was smiling with a flag on the background. He was dubbed the candidate of modernity "candidat de la modernité. "
The minimal background of his official portrait tells it all. Giscard was the first president to go out of classical official portrait of French
presidents. One small but important fact about him was his complicated relationship with his "friend" the African dictator
of the country of Central Africa Republic (CAR), Jean Bokassa. Giscard d’Estaing did his first official visit in CAR.
Check out this video if
you are wondering what goes on behind the scene at the Palais de l’Élysée. The basement is unfinished like that of any other public building; and of course there is a cellar for French wine.
