"Through a painstakingly constructed somber world, Witkin tiredly refers to the sanctity of art history: Venus, virgins, still natures, Mexican altarpieces and Caravaggio-inspired chiaroscuros. His methodology recreates the studies of the classic schools, profaned by marginal characters among mutilated corpses, hermaphrodites and people with deformities. A referent of grotesque aesthetics and exalted sexuality, there have been numerous retrospective shows on his work at institutions such as the Museum of Modern Art of New York and the Centre George Pompidou in Paris."
This extensive exhibition catalogue features multiple essays and also shows the sketches behind the final photographs.
