Bio

From 1962 to 1964, Dan Kramer studied photography in the prestigious EAM school, in Vevey, Switzerland, where he refined his skills and knowledge as an intern for one of the most renowned photographers of the era, Edgardo Nessi. Kramer then graduated in April 1965, and one month later opened his first photography studio, which quickly gained a reputation for the high quality of his work, and continued to cultivate success in the coming years. In 1967, Kramer also obtained his Master's degree, which allowed him to train young photographers as apprentices and interns.

Then, in the year 1971, he met the women who would become his muse, the artist Clo Vanesco. His life changed radically and his perception of photography along with it. It was also at this time that Kramer began his international career as a commercial and industrial photographer, beginning in Switzerland, and Paris, France. It is also at this particular time that he began to develop the concept for a new kind of imagery.

In the late seventies, Kramer took a four year sabbatical with his family, journeying to Greece and the Adriatic Sea. There he discovered the pure beauty of light that would open his mind to a new vision of photography as an art. Once back in Paris, Kramer quickly began to invent and perfect that new vision, which would come to be known as Photographic Impressionism. Following much success, In 1984, the book Dan Kramer – Imagine was published, in association with the Editors Vie, Art, Cité in Lausanne, Switzerland, and the Bibliothèques des Arts, in Paris, France.

Through Vanesco, Kramer then became associated with the elite of the arts in France, and followed, among other things, lectures given by the Art Historian, Director of the Jacquemart-André Museum, and member of the French Academy, Mr. René Huyghe. At that time, Kramer also became friends with Mr. François Dault, member of the French Institute, and world renowned expert in the artwork of August Renoir, with whom he kept a long friendship. Kramer also became the assigned photographer for the famous art collector, Samuel Josefowitz, as well as associated with Gérald Van Der Kampf, director of the Claude Monet Museum in Giverny. From there he worked for several museums and private art collectors, ever extending his experience and knowledge of some of the most famous, and infamous art pieces in existence. It was also during that period of time that he met met and befriended many painters and sculptors with whom he would develop and keep close and professional relationships with. Some of these included sculptor, César, poet, singer, and painter Mouloudji, painter Ramond Moretti, and graphic designer Alain Carré. Kramer also became a privileged and close friend of painter François Fiedler, and through him entered the sacred monsters world of Miro, Calder, and Braque, among others—all of them being part of Maeght Gallery’s circle.

For family reasons, Dan Kramer then returned to Switzerland, where he rented a large loft, which he quickly transformed into an art studio and gallery for his now wife, Clo Vanesco, and himself. He then worked as an art photographer for several Swiss museums and private art owners, and for more than fourteen years also worked for the glassblowers Baldwin/Guggisberg. But still that was not enough—Kramer also continued to support local artists, such as sculptor Francis Berthoud, painters Thierry Lenzin, Maurice Pittet K., André Piguet, and sculptor and art founder Albert György, among others. Also, depsite the distance, he never forgot his Parisian friends, such as Mouloudji, and among all François Fiedler, and went on to sponsor and organize more than 40 art exhibitions, working with all the artists mentioned above.

In 1998, Kramer and Vanesco emigrated to the United States, and settled down in San Diego, California. With them came a giant shipping container full of amazing art work gathered throughout the years, with the cooperation and support of european artists. A large part of this collection is comprised of the work of François Fiedler, who, in recognition of Kramer’s support, and to honor many years of deep friendship, donated his personal collection, in order to preserve it and enable Kramer to share it with the world.