Madman in the straw: "a sinister corridor. From behind heavy doors escape the repulsive groans and sickening odors of the mad vomiters doing a cure of disgust (on cheap wine). Behind the last door, a premature madman, naked in the straw. I photographed him through the thick murky glass of his spyhole, licked again and again, without seeing anything (reflex cameras didn't exist at the time). At 2 am, I finally convince the charming head doctor, worn down by my arguments, to let me take the picture in my own way", Psychiatric hospital

Skip to main content
Madman in the straw: "a sinister corridor. From behind heavy doors escape the repulsive groans and sickening odors of the mad vomiters doing a cure of disgust (on cheap wine). Behind the last door, a premature madman, naked in the straw. I photographed him through the thick murky glass of his spyhole, licked again and again, without seeing anything (reflex cameras didn't exist at the time). At 2 am, I finally convince the charming head doctor, worn down by my arguments, to let me take the picture in my own way", Psychiatric hospital
Madman in the straw: "a sinister corridor. From behind heavy doors escape the repulsive groans and sickening odors of the mad vomiters doing a cure of disgust (on cheap wine). Behind the last door, a premature madman, naked in the straw. I photographed him through the thick murky glass of his spyhole, licked again and again, without seeing anything (reflex cameras didn't exist at the time). At 2 am, I finally convince the charming head doctor, worn down by my arguments, to let me take the picture in my own way", Psychiatric hospital
Artist/Maker (French, 1921 – 2004)
Date1954
MediumVintage gelatin silver print
DimensionsOverall: 9 3/8 × 6 3/8 in. (23.8 × 16.2 cm) Image: 9 3/8 × 6 3/8 in. (23.8 × 16.2 cm)
Credit LineGift of Thomas J. Wilson and Jill M. Garling, P2016
Object number2022.15.198
Not on view
Collections

Additional Details

Provenance 2022: Hamilton College (Ruth and Elmer Wellin Museum of Art); from the collection of Charles-Henri Favrod, the founding director of the Musée de l'Elysée de la Photographie in Lausanne, Switzerland
Published References Charbonnier, Jean-Philippe. Jean-Philippe Charbonnier - Photographs. Musee D'Art Moderne de la Ville de Paris, 1983, pl. 94
Signature Verso, top right corner: "J.Ph. Charbonnier"
Inscribed Verso, top left corner: "FCC F 852 / JC-F-13 4500-"
Photograph by John Bentham.
Vanessa German
Date: 2016
Medium: Mixed-media assemblage
Object number: 2016.15
Hail, C-O-L-U-M-B-I-A-!--The British Lion Tamed Again, from "Harper's Weekly"
Thomas Nast
Date: published July 27, 1878
Medium: Wood engraving on newsprint
Object number: 2019.13.436
New Years Calls---Eve at it Again, from "Harper's Weekly"
Thomas Nast
Date: published January 7, 1871
Medium: Wood engraving on newsprint
Object number: 2019.13.124
'What Are You Going to Do About It,' If 'Old Honesty' Lets Him Loose Again?, from "Harper's Weekly"
Thomas Nast
Date: published August 31, 1872
Medium: Wood engraving on newsprint
Object number: 2019.13.199