Renowned editor Herve de La Martiniere passes away at 78 years old.
Hervé de La Martinière, a Photo Book Titan, Bids Farewell at 78
The publishing world mourns the loss of Hervé de La Martinière, the visionary behind La Martinère editions, who passed away on May 8, 2025, at the age of 78. Known for his striking work in photo book publishing, his impact on the art form and the industry will long endure.
A Publishing Genius Rises
Born in 1947, Hervé de La Martinière carved out a niche in the highly competitive publishing sphere, focusing on photo books - a blend of art, photography, and narrative. His journey started in obscurity, but his passion and unique approach catapulted him to prominence as a publisher of photo books.
The Photograph as Art
De La Martinière's influence stretched far beyond France, shaping perceptions of photography as an art form. He proudly stood at the forefront of photographic literature, contributing significantly to its cultural and artistic landscape.
Leading the Pack of Photo Book Publishers
De La Martinière's portfolio boasts some of the most successful and acclaimed photo books ever published, including Yann Arthus-Bertrand's "Earth from Above," which achieved global fame with 3.5 million copies sold. He also published "All Men Do Not Live by the Same Rules" by Jean-Paul Dubois, which won the prestigious Goncourt Prize, and the "Homemade" series by chef Cyril Lignac.
Evolution of a Powerhouse
De La Martinière's journey in the publishing world began when he joined the Hachette group at age 25. After years of hard work and stellar success, he founded La Martinère in 1992, dedicated to illustrated and coffee-table books. The ambitious acquisitions that followed, such as the purchase of New York-based Abrams Books in 1997, cemented his position as an industry titan.
In 2004, De La Martinière expanded his empire by taking over Seuil and its associated houses, catapulting his company to the ranks of major French publishing powerhouses.
** copyright Battles and Victories**
In 2006, De La Martinière took on tech giant Google in a copyright infringement battle over mass-digitizing books without publisher consent. He and other publishers won the dispute in 2011 when a digitization agreement was reached with Google.
The Legacy Lives On
Hervé de La Martinière's life was celebrated for his unwavering dedication to his authors and his fierce protection of the literary world. He remained humble and approachable, earning respect and admiration from all who crossed his path. Above all else, he was a champion of literature and books, fighting tooth and nail for the survival of bookstores and the art of publishing.
His publication house and the Media-Participations group collectively paid tribute to De La Martinière, calling him a fervent admirer of his authors, a lover of literature who wanted to create a literary department named after his publishing house, and a defender of bookstores and a certain idea of publishing.
Hervé de La Martinière leaves behind a rich legacy that will continue to inspire and impact the publishing world for generations to come.
As De La Martinière's company expands, his focus on photo books, a fusion of art, photography, and business, continues to redefine the financial landscape of the publishing industry. His legacy extends beyond the publishing sphere, influencing cultural perceptions of photography as a celebrated art form.
