Luca Mattia VIGILANTE
Photojournalism by Spéos & Agence France-Presse (AFP)
-THE TAXIDERMIST -BREAKING NEWS 2024/2025
THE TAXIDERMIST
This project explores the art of taxidermy which is the process of preserving and representing animals in an artistic way. The main character is studio Navone Tassidermia located in Riva presso Chieri in Italy and led by Alessandro, who inherited the business from his master Agostino Navone.
The project focuses on the hidden moments in the workshop, capturing not only the finished pieces but also the intimate, reflective process behind their creation. Each transformation requires technical precision and respect for nature.
The aim is to tell the story of the passion and creativity behind this craft, showing how Alessandro, through his work, goes beyond simple preservation to create pieces that speak to the viewer. The project highlights the discipline, patience, and craftsmanship required to master this art.
Blindfolded stuffed cat in plastic bag
The head of a young deer defreezing before being worked
Master Navone manually removing muscle tissue that haven’t been washed away during the chemical bath
Deer shaped fiberglass models and tools
Stuffed deer head being repaired
Navone Taxidermy’s worker mounting a stuff ed bird on a stone shaped support
Alessandro working on a stuffed wild boar head
Stuffed ibex’heads hanging on the wall with other trophies
Alessandro posing surrounded by trophies and stuffed animals
Stuffed pigeons installed above framed certificates
SNOWFALL-PARIS- LMV-20241121-0079 -Atouristataviewpointonthe Eiffel Towerduring asnowfall, Paris, November21, 2024. © LUCAMATTIAVIGILANTE
PRIX GONCOURT-PARIS - LMV-20241104-0103 - Algerian-French novelist Kamel Daoud holds his book Houris after being awarded with the Goncourt, France's mostprestigiousliterary prize, Paris, November4, 2024. ©LUCAMATTIAVIGILANTE
My name is Luca Mattia Vigilante, I'm an Italian freelance photographer passioned about street photography, reportage, and portraits. I graduated in International Relations at the University of Turin and specialized in photoreportage at the international photography school Spéos, in Paris. During my cerreer I lived and worked in Poland, Switzerland, and France. I’m currently based in Italy and Poland.
www.lucamattiavigilante.com +393517447373
lucamattia.vigilante@gmail.com @ellemmevu