[Petanque player] - Hans Silvester, silver gelatin print

Petanque player - Hans Silvester, silver gelatin print

This black-and-white photograph by Hans Silvester captures a moment of intense concentration.

A man, seen in profile, leans forward in a dynamic posture, almost suspended in the gesture. Between his fingers he holds a metal boule he is about to throw, while another is hidden in his left hand behind his back. A cigarette, held at the corner of his lips, adds to the familiar, relaxed atmosphere of the scene.

His checkered cap, moustache, and thick sweater place the scene in a popular, everyday setting, most likely during a game of pétanque. The strength of the image lies in the quiet tension of the moment just before the throw: the fixed gaze, the raised hand, the body fully focused on its target.

As often in Hans Silvester’s work, the tight framing and soft light isolate the essential gesture. The photograph transforms an ordinary moment of daily life into a precise study of movement, concentration, and the quiet dignity of simple actions. These images, produced between 1958 and 1976, reveal the expressive power of traditional black-and-white photography and the photographer’s attentive eye for scenes of life encountered throughout his travels.

Printed from the artist’s preserved black-and-white negatives, the image was produced using traditional silver gelatin processes. The depth of the blacks, the fineness of the grain, and the balance of contrasts give it a strong material presence, faithful to the photographer’s original intent. This photograph bears witness to Hans Silvester’s attentive and rigorous eye, shaped by a humanist approach.

Each photograph is printed in a strictly limited edition of five copies. The works are stored and handled in accordance with photographic conservation standards, ensuring their long-term stability.

Photograph presented at the exhibition Silver Silvester, Galerie Retour de Voyage, April 2026.

Prints remain available for viewing by appointment after the exhibition.Contact Frédéric: +33 6 87 32 58 68.