thomas jorion documents the ornate interiors of italy's abandoned architecture

thomas jorion is a self-taught photographer who lives in paris and travels the world to capture timeless images using a large format analogue camera. jorion’s work documents places in a state of ruin or abandonment, allowing the view to rediscover the destination’s past glory from a bygone era. a new exhibition chronicles the photographer’s journeys through italy, in search of the ornate palaces, summer houses, and gardens that have been long forgotten.

thomas jorion, fulmine, italie, 2018 | pigment print, american box frame in raw oak
available in three sizes : 64 x 80 cm, 96 x 120 cm, 120 x 150 cm — edition of 14 all sizes combined
all images © thomas jorion, courtesy galerie esther woerdehoff

the exhibition — on view at galerie esther woerdehoff in paris until april 6, 2019 — is titled veduta, a word that means ‘view’ in italian. thomas jorion’s photography profoundly captures the subject’s architectural splendor, however, without human occupation, the residences take on a dream-like quality. in some scenes floor tiles have come loose, while in others the ceiling has collapsed entirely — creating a dramatic visual contrast between the decorative interior and the ruin it is becoming.

thomas jorion, pensile, italie, 2018 | pigment print, american box frame in raw oak
available in three sizes : 64 x 80 cm, 96 x 120 cm, 120 x 150 cm — edition of 14 all sizes combined

graffiti is scrawled on historic wall, while elsewhere, nature begins to take over — filling the void left by humans. by showing the current state of these long forgotten landmarks, jorion underscores the fragility of mankind’s existence, reminding us that we are temporary citizens of this earth. veduta remains on view at galerie esther woerdehoff until april 6, 2019.

thomas jorion, ghepardi, italie, 2016 | pigment print, american box frame in raw oak
available in three sizes : 64 x 80 cm, 96 x 120 cm, 120 x 150 cm — edition of 14 all sizes combined

thomas jorion, fondali, italie, 2017 | pigment print, american box frame in raw oak
available in three sizes : 64 x 80 cm, 96 x 120 cm, 120 x 150 cm — edition of 14 all sizes combined

thomas jorion, cedri, italie, 2017 | pigment print, american box frame in raw oak
available in three sizes : 64 x 80 cm, 96 x 120 cm, 120 x 150 cm — edition of 14 all sizes combined

thomas jorion, sognare, suisse, 2016 | pigment print, american box frame in raw oak
available in three sizes : 64 x 80 cm, 96 x 120 cm, 120 x 150 cm — edition of 14 all sizes combined

thomas jorion, pappagallo, italie, 2018 | pigment print, american box frame in raw oak (also main image)
available in three sizes : 64 x 80 cm, 96 x 120 cm, 120 x 150 cm — edition of 14 all sizes combined

project info:

artist: thomas jorion
gallery: galerie esther woerdehoff
location: 36 rue falguière, 75015 paris, france
exhibition dates: february 7 – april 6, 2019