Born in 1887 in Ukraine, Boris Lipnitzki fled his country and the Bolsheviks to settle in Paris in 1921. He opened his own studio in the city and quickly bonded with Paul Poiret, French top designer, whose customers soon took a great interest in his work. From 1924, he started portraying the collections of some of the most famous haute couture brands such as Heim, Schiaparelli, Chanel or Rouff. He also photographed many celebrities such as Josephine Baker, Balenciaga, Coco Chanel, Picasso, Bardot or Foujita. Lipnitzki covered many society events as well. Boris Lipnitzki’s photographs were published in the fashion magazine Femina and the newspaper Excelsior. He also visited the Russian colony in Paris, the studios of fellow artists and photographs ballet and theatre plays, thus meeting with the authors and performers (Fokine, Stravinsky, Prokofiev, Lifar). At the outburst of WWII, Boris Liptnitzki was forced to flee Europe, he settled in New York where he was welcomed by Marc Chagall. He returned in Paris at the end of the war and reopened his studio, covering the latest events of the Parisian theatre, ballet and opera until the late 1960s. Boris Lipnitzki died in Paris in 1971.
Roger-Viollet Gallery
Founded in 1938, Roger-Viollet is one of France's oldest photo agencies. The size of its collection is unique in Europe with over 6 million documents, covering more than 180 years of Parisian, French and international history. This singular place dedicated to historical photography has preserved its soul while offering a new exhibition space, opened in late 2020, as well as an area for consulting and sale of prints, and a book corner.