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Obituary: Christine de Grancy
Obituary: Christine de Grancy
March 22, 2025
Christine de Grancy, 2021 © Josef Polleross
Over the rooftops of Vienna: fearless, weatherproof and, above all, free from vertigo. The photographer spent many years moving around cornices, domes and roofs to find the best perspectives and motifs of Vienna’s rooftop landscapes, with their many winged creatures, putti, caryatids and allegorical figures. The ease with which she moved at lofty heights took the breath away of many a doorman, porter or craftsman. But she was also a precise observer when standing on firmer ground, a courageous and empathetic portraitist, whether on her many trips, or during personal encounters in her adopted home of Vienna. De Grancy was born in 1942 in Brünn (today Brno, Czechia). She studied in Graz, Austria, and moved to Vienna in 1963, where she worked as a graphic artist and artistic director, before discovering photography as her true passion. The camera was the best tool to fuel her curiosity about the world. She always focussed on the realities of life and the fate of women, who are all too often overlooked in times of political and social upheaval.
Her travels took her to Greece, Japan, Portugal, Algeria, China, Tibet, Pakistan, Turkey, Georgia, Russia, Niger and Mali. The photographer patiently took her time for her reportages, many of which were published in magazines and books. And it was precisely the time factor that led to her photographic “condensations”. Her many theatre pictures, which were mainly taken at the Burgtheater in Vienna, prove that she was also able to spontaneously catch the right moment. Just three years ago, the Vienna Theatre Museum honoured this part of her life’s work. Here, too, it was impressively clear how de Grancy always succeeded in getting as close as possible to the people she portrayed – namely directly on stage – but without ever crowding to them. De Grancy enjoyed a close relationship with André Heller, with whom she published a number of books, and who helped her produce a special reportage with David Bowie in 1994, when he visited the Haus der Künstler in Gugging. Exciting moments full of sobriety, respect and, above all, no posing.
The photographer was a great storyteller with the camera, and shared touching moments with her viewers. There are still many aspects of her work to be discovered, as she was working on her archive until the very end. Christine de Grancy was in a hospital in Vienna when she passed away. Her voice will be missed.
Ulrich RüterHer travels took her to Greece, Japan, Portugal, Algeria, China, Tibet, Pakistan, Turkey, Georgia, Russia, Niger and Mali. The photographer patiently took her time for her reportages, many of which were published in magazines and books. And it was precisely the time factor that led to her photographic “condensations”. Her many theatre pictures, which were mainly taken at the Burgtheater in Vienna, prove that she was also able to spontaneously catch the right moment. Just three years ago, the Vienna Theatre Museum honoured this part of her life’s work. Here, too, it was impressively clear how de Grancy always succeeded in getting as close as possible to the people she portrayed – namely directly on stage – but without ever crowding to them. De Grancy enjoyed a close relationship with André Heller, with whom she published a number of books, and who helped her produce a special reportage with David Bowie in 1994, when he visited the Haus der Künstler in Gugging. Exciting moments full of sobriety, respect and, above all, no posing.
The photographer was a great storyteller with the camera, and shared touching moments with her viewers. There are still many aspects of her work to be discovered, as she was working on her archive until the very end. Christine de Grancy was in a hospital in Vienna when she passed away. Her voice will be missed.
LFI 4.2022+-
Christine de Grancy oeuvre was presented in a comprehensive portfolio in issue 4.2022 of the LFI magazine. More
Christine de Grancy, 2021 © Josef Polleross
Christine de Grancy, Fortuna, Rotenturmstraße, Vienna 2004
Christine de Grancy,Boreas and Genies, Burgtheater, Vienna 1980
Christine de Grancy, Tuareg mother and daughter from Iferouane, Niger 2000
Christine de Grancy, Spring Awakening, Akademietheater, Vienna 1980
Christine de Grancy, David Bowie in Gugging, Vienna 1994
Unknown, Christine de Grancy on the roof of the Vienna Parliament, 1992