Raymond Burnier (1912-1968) was a Swiss photographer born in Lausanne. ^[1]

Early life

Burnier was born in a wealthy Swiss family, his grandfather was among the inventor of the condensed milk, later commercialized by Nestle. Most of his childhood was spent in a farm in Algeria. ^{[2] [3]}

Career

Burnier was very passionate about photography. He traveled to China, Japan, Indonesia, Afghanistan, the United States to finally settle in India in 1938. ^[1]

A follower of the Leica, he was interested in Hindu sculpture from the medieval period (9th to 14th centuries). ^[1] He revealed the beauty of the great temples of Khajuraho Group of Monuments, Bhubaneswar and Konark Sun Temple. ^[1] He became a member of the Indian archaeological services and photographed a large number of sites and temples in central India. ^[1]

Influenced by the work of Cecil Beaton (that he receives in India), he inspired photographer Angelo Frontoni ( it) (1929-2002). ^{[4] [1]}

Personal life

In 1931 in Cote D'Azur he met Alain Danielou who would remain his lifelong companion, even if in the middle of their relationship Burnier married Radha Sri Ram. ^{[5] [6]}

Exhibitions

• Center Alain Daniélou, Zagarolo, Rome (more than 8,000 negatives realized between 1935 and 1955).
• In 1949 he was the first photographer exhibited at Museum of Modern Art, New York (prints made by Burnier) ^[7]
• Museum of the Elysee, Lausanne.

Works

• Burnier illustrated several works by Alain Daniélou: L'Erotisme Divinisé, The Hindu Temple: Deification of Eroticism, Visages de l'Inde médiévale, L'Inde traditionnelle. Photographies, 1935-1955.
• Exploring India's Sacred Art: Selected Writings of Stella Kramrisch
• Alain Daniélou and Raymond Burnier, Faces of medieval India, Paris, Hermann, 1985, 79 original photographs

References