Augusto De Luca, internationally renowned photographer and performer, represents an extraordinary figure in the panorama of contemporary photography. Born in Naples on 1 July 1955, De Luca has pursued a path that combines the rigour of classical studies and law with a passion for photography, which he has developed since the 1970s.
His career is characterised by a continuous interplay between tradition and innovation, with a particular focus on framing and the minimal expressive units of objects. His approach to photography is unique: while some of his images display a sharp and precise realism, others evoke a metaphysical atmosphere, where forms and signs intertwine, recalling the lessons of the great masters of the movement. De Luca has exhibited in numerous galleries in Italy and abroad, and his works are now part of prestigious public and private collections, including the International Polaroid Collection in the United States, the National Library in Paris and the National Gallery of Aesthetic Arts in China. With this spirit of research and innovation, we are delighted to offer you an intimate conversation with an artist who was able to transform photography into a narrative capable of fascinating and arousing emotions.
Many years have passed, but tell us about that meeting with Carla Fracci that will remain in your memory forever. How did it happen?
It was 1991, the early 1990s, and I had just published the book Napoli Donna, which collected my portraits of thirty-seven important Neapolitan women, accompanied by interviews by journalist Giuliana Gargiulo. The book had been well received and, together with Giuliana, we had decided to do another project, this time on the women of Milan. Unfortunately, for various reasons, the book was never published, but we had already prepared a list of illustrious names, and the first on the list was Carla Fracci.
Why was Carla Fracci in Naples at that time?
As chance would have it, after about a month, Carla Fracci and her husband, Beppe Menegatti, came to Naples, Giuliana’s guests. I met her during a dinner at her home. I proposed her to participate in our project, and she was enthusiastic right away.
That proposal was only the beginning. How did the prep continue
Exactly, but there was a small problem: Carla would only be in Naples for a few days, and I had to quickly find a location and decide how to photograph her. I started to do some research, and reading her biography, I realised that her star sign was Leo, which I found perfect for her, as I had always seen her as a very strong woman, a real warrior, both personally and professionally.
And how did you choose the location for the photo shoot?
It occurred to me that at my friend Valeria Carità’s house, in an old building in Monte di Dio, I had seen a large stone lion. Immediately I decided that that would be the perfect location. The next day, we went there with Carla. She was beautiful, delicate and ethereal, like Chinese porcelain, and wore a magnificent lace dress, which you can see in the photo. After a few rehearsals, I knew immediately that I had found the right shot.
It must have been a special moment even after taking the photo. How did it go?
Yes, I finally relaxed, knowing that I had the right photo. After a few chats, I took her back. I saw her again in Milan, when she came to a photo exhibition of mine at ‘Diaframma’ in Via Brera. I gave her the portrait and she immediately said: ‘Beautiful… and the lion is my sign of the zodiac’. At that point I realised that I had hit the bull’s eye, that the portrait was perfect for her.
It was a very special meeting, not only professional but also personal, wasn’t it?
Absolutely. Carla Fracci was an extraordinary woman, with a strength and grace that could be perceived in her every gesture. The experience of working with her was unique and will always remain in my memory as a magical and unrepeatable moment.
