René Maltête (1930–2000) was a French photographer and poet. He was born at Côtes-d'Armor, France. He started taking pictures at 16; his first camera was a Pontiac 6×9. In 1951 he went to Paris to become an assistant director.
Maltête wanted to be a film director but lacked a camera. In 1954 he bought a Semflex 6×6 still camera and started taking photographs seriously.
During the 1950s and ’60s, street photography was just starting to take foot as an art form, and French photographer René Maltête gave it a push with his candid and humorous scenes.
In 1958, he integrated the Rapho picture agency. His big break, however, came with a series of photos that were slightly less than serious. He became known for his ‘stumbled-upon’ scenes of street life that teemed with ironic humor, showing how the funniest things that happen in life are often just a matter of good timing.
In 1960, his first book "Paris des rues et des chansons" was published, after many rejections by other prospective publishers. With text by Jacques Prévert, Boris Vian, Georges Brassens, Charles Trenet, and Pierre Mac Orlan, it came out in three editions, and 35,000 copies were sold.
Maltête captured amusing situations in everyday life. His pictures were published in numerous magazines worldwide (Asahi Camera, Camera, Epoca, Life, Look, Paris-Match, Popular Photography, Punch, Stern).
In 1973 Maltête moved to Dreux, where he and friends organized "Art en Dreux"; seven years later he would also found a poetry festival there.
During the 1950s and ’60s, street photography was just starting to take foot as an art form, and French photographer René Maltête gave it a push with his candid and humorous scenes.
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