Portraits of wild men
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Smrt (Death), Třebič, Czech Republic (left) and Caretos, Vila Boa de Ousilhão, Portugal (right) Charles Fréger -
Tschäggättä from the Lötschental in canton Valais, Switzerland Charles Fréger -
Arkouda (Bearr), Monastiraki, Greece (left) und Nevesta, Begnishte, Macedonia (right) Charles Fréger -
S'Urtzu e sos Bardianos, Ula Tirso, Sardinia, Italy Charles Fréger -
Mascarita, Alsasua, Basque region, Spain (left) and Burryman, Queensferry, Scotland Charles Fréger -
Djolomari, Begnishte, Macedonia (left) and Škoromati, Podgrad, Slovenia (right) Charles Fréger -
Mechkari, Prilep, Macedonia (left) and Laufr (Jumper) Třebič, Czech Republic (right) Charles Fréger -
Goat masquerade, Mănăstira Humorului, Romania Charles Fréger -
Tschäggättä from the Lötschental in canton Valais, Switzerland Charles Fréger -
Sauvages (Wild men), Le Noirmont, canton Jura, Switzerland Charles Fréger
Photographer Charles Fréger’s work took him on a journey him to 18 European countries, including Switzerland, in search of the mythological wild man. Fréger, born in 1975, is a leading representative of young French photography.
This content was published on June 9, 2012 - 11:00
The transformation of human to beast is a central aspect in pagan rituals that celebrate the turn of the seasons, fertility, life and death. Passed down the centuries, some are still alive today in carnival or Advent traditions. The costumes often represent the devil, billy goats, wild boars or the grim reaper and they make use of masks, horns, bells, fur and bones, as well as straw and pine twigs.
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