Photo Josse has established itself as one of the largest producers of the highest-quality  art images across Europe and around the world. Started in 1968 by the efforts of a lone photographer excited by the possibilities of capturing the world’s most inspiring artworks, the Photo Josse Archive has grown to hold an impressive array of image reproductions. 

Photo Josse: Beginnings

Photo Josse began in 1968 when Hubert Josse took the risk of creating a company solely dedicated to the photography of art. This move was made after Hubert had finished studying photography at the Louis Lumière school in Paris and after he had worked for several other companies in this field. Hubert’s talented and experienced eye enabled him to perceive the opportunity in the growing demand for new photographic renderings of artworks for both publishers and museums. 

Photo Josse: Process

What made Hubert’s operation so successful was his dedication to managing the entire chain of production when it came to an image, from the photo shoots, to the developing of the images, and production of prints, both in black & white and colour. Alongside this, Hubert created an archive for his photographs to enable him to efficiently respond to client requests and have an organised local space for his work. From this dedication and attention to detail Josse had control over the mechanics of the image's creation, ensuring it maintained a quality of the highest calibre, which in turn established itself a serious and respected reputation in the field of art photography.

Photo Josse: Reputation

In addition to fulfilling customer requests in Paris, the company expanded its horizons and reach, organising photo campaigns throughout France and Europe. Due to the recognition Photo Josse had gained for its ability to produce art photographs of the highest quality, requests increased from both well-known institutions like the Prado Museum in Madrid, and from more obscure and smaller provinces such as Chartres in France. 

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Today the archive boasts a variety of treasures from a Neolithic millstone to Picasso’s final drawing, as well as lesser-known gems, including engravings illustrating the tales of Perrault, and plates from the Meiji era in Japan. The images capture works completed in all media - from paintings, sculptures and miniatures, all traversing the history of civilisation and the arts.

Photo Josse: Today

The company takes great pride in Josse’s legacy and continues to be family run. Today, Hubert Josse's adventure is run by the third generation of the Josse family, Hubert’s grandson Arnaud, who follows his father Jean-Louis in continuing the business on behalf of the family name. Through the family’s continuous determination and vigour for the company, they have managed to maintain complete control over the production chain, which was always fundamental to Hubert’s success and the assured quality of the images.

Photo Josse: Innovation

Photo Josse is connected to a large network of museums, publishers, auctioneers, and various other cultural institutions and private sources. Over time, the job has evolved from being solely about image reproduction of the highest quality, with Photo Josse now playing a fundamental role in the creation of new images and reproductions, working alongside the artists to create artworks of their own. 

With the growing potential and opportunities to enhance creation and output brought by developments in technology, Photo Josse has evolved into the digital sphere and harnessed new, inventive, and sophisticated techniques and equipment to ensure an even greater standard of image rendering.

With eyes still set on the future of art photography, Photo Josse stays fixed on its goal; to offer the best quality service for its customers and is excited for the opportunities to participate in the creation of works which result in new images.

Bridgeman admires the progress of Photo Josse and shares in the excitement for the future and the progress of our partnership.

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