Founded in Paris in 1996 at 17 rue des Filles-du-Calvaire, Les filles du calvaire gallery quickly established itself as an influential player in the contemporary art scene. From the very beginning, it distinguished itself by supporting photographers at a time when this medium had not yet achieved the central role it holds today in the art market and within institutions. The gallery has played a major role in the recognition of contemporary photography, particularly in its demanding and distinctive practices.
True to its role as a discoverer, the gallery gives a central place to emerging artists. Today more than ever, it affirms its support for contemporary artists, with particular attention to the French scene, which it helps promote both nationally and internationally. To reinforce this dynamic, the gallery has, since its inception, invited external contributors such as art critics, artists, and curators to oversee exhibition curation.
Figuration now occupies a major place in the gallery’s programming. Whether in photography, painting, sculpture, or drawing, the gallery favors embodied works that explore bodies, landscapes, and intimate or collective narratives, while leaving ample room for interpretation and subjectivity. This artistic coherence, developed over the years, has established the gallery as a space recognized for the quality of its commitments and the uniqueness of its vision. Figuration is never merely illustrative here; it is a tool for storytelling, a space for projection, and a way of thinking about the world.
Since its inception, Les filles du calvaire has showcased and supported the work of numerous women artists. This choice, both instinctive and committed, has naturally aligned with the gallery’s artistic vision, independently of contemporary trends or external pressures.
After an experience in Brussels from 2000 to 2010, the gallery opened a second space in 2023 at 21 rue Chapon, allowing it to expand its programming.
A gallery faithful, from the very beginning, to its founding principles: supporting artists, engaging with reality, and fostering the living forms of contemporary creation.