No. 03 — The Louvre, after midnight
The newsletter · No. 03
The Louvre, after midnight
Paris
Le Louvre, Paris — after midnight
Paris is my favourite city in the world, together with New York. It was here I first began going to the shows — probably one of the first Norwegians to be let into the great Paris collections, as editor of TIQUE. We were even part of what was then the largest fashion show in the world, on the Champs-Élysées: more than twenty models, every one in a white wig, the whole avenue filled with models and onlookers. A great thing to have stood inside of.
I’ve worked in wonderful studios and locations all over the city, with supermodels like Claudia Schiffer and Helena Christensen. Paris is alive in a way few places are. Whenever I’m there I love to stop by Hôtel Costes — Wenche from Norway has been at the reception for years — and I’ve been fortunate to photograph at Costes more than once, lucky enough to have known Monsieur Costes since the old Café Costes days. And when you stand before the Louvre, you understand this is no ordinary city: Napoleon himself once lived here.
This picture was taken at one in the morning and took about an hour to make — thirty-six exposures stitched into a single panorama. Only a few large prints of it remain; it has been acquired by one of Norway’s foremost collectors, and by others in London and Stockholm. The image gives me a rush of feeling for a city I love. If Paris means something to you, this one is for you.
If this speaks to you, the image is available as a limited-edition print. You are always welcome to explore the full collection.
Warm regards,
Morten Qvale