The Somme tourist board

"In 2007, while browsing through some old publications, my eye was caught by the faces of First World War soldiers. When reading the texts on the honours display, i was bowled over by the horrors and the sufferings of war. I spontaneously decided to treat the images and let my feelings run free. In the past i had already been attracted by the Military Museum and my photo collection counted a series of pictures of gas masks. The relationship between the "saving" object and the soldier imposed itself. A subtle game, without any digital treatment whatsoever, developed between the face, the object and the pain. That dialogue enabled me to create emotion-laden images and to express my vision of the horrors of war" - Virginie Cornet

"To be impregnated,
to perceive the horror without looking away, to imagine hell, face to face with suffering.
Dear wife, dear parents, dear all,
I have been wounded. Let's hope all will be well.
Take good care of the children, dear Lucie.
Leopold will help you out of i don't make it.
My thigh has been smashed up and i'm alone in a shell hole.
I think they will get me out soon.
My last thought goes out to all of you."
Jules- Letter by Jules Cros, deceased in combat on april 16, 1917