Photographer Andre Villers dies aged 85

Perhaps best known for his wonderfully intimate photographs of Pablo Picasso, the photographer André Villers passed away last week at his home in Le Luc, Var.

At 85 years of age, the artist spent most of his life on the French Riviera. Born in Beaucourt in the north east of France, a young Villers moved to Vallauris in 1947. He spent eight years in a sanatorium there following a diagnosis of skeletal tuberculosis. During his treatment he took a photography course and bought his first camera.

After a chance meeting in the streets of Vallauris in 1953, when Villers was only 22 years old, a friendship grew between himself and the renowned artist Pablo Picasso. Some of Villers images of Picasso are now amongst the most famous portraits of the painter, showing a more vulnerable and intimate side of the artist.

Together they created works including a collection of 30 photos that were published in 1962, based on carvings and overlays. "It allowed me to dream that I had enough talent to work alongside the genius he was! It was his way of encouraging my success... " - André Villers

After spending most of his life in Mougins, Villers moved to the Var region in 2009 where he spent the remainder of his life.

His funeral will be held Thursday, 7th April at 15:00, in the church of Luc-en-Provence .