BAN70 2008 / 2008

Rafael Neff

After his visually profound series on baroque libraries, famous opera stages, precision mechanical clocks, and natural history volumes, Rafael Neff now lets our eyes drift across the famous wine cellars of the world. His photographic philosophy of the exquisite comes into its own in the warm maturation cellars of the world’s famous wine estates. The camera captures the ordered impression of these sealed barrels of luxury wine for more than just a fleeting moment. There is good reason why Chateau Margaux Premier Grand Cru Classe does not reach its optimum flavour and finesse until after more than ten years. The wine also takes on body during this time, as a renowned wine critic has explained. You don’t need to be a wine connoisseur to identify the care and attention given to the grapes of Lafite Rothschild in Neff’s photographs. The image is not just pleasing to the eyes on account of the symmetry and gentle light. The more the viewer’s attention is drawn to the depths of the image, the more imposing the vaults and the inexhaustible supply of wine appear. Not just anyone can get into these hallowed halls of vintage maturation, which seem to unfold and gain colour in front of our eyes.