Meet Valérie-Anne Giscard D’Estaing of GALERIE XII

Today we’d like to introduce you to Valérie-Anne Giscard D’Estaing.

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I am Valérie-Anne Giscard d’Estaing, and for the past decade, my mission has been to give photography the space and recognition it deserves as a form of contemporary art. After years in publishing, I founded Galerie Photo12 in Paris in 2007, which later evolved into Galerie XII—a name that reflects my vision for narrative and conceptual photography.
In recent years, I’ve expanded internationally, opening a gallery in Shanghai (2015–2023) and establishing Galerie XII Los Angeles at Bergamot Station in 2018. These spaces allow me to showcase artists who push boundaries, blending traditional techniques with multimedia approaches.
Galerie XII is now a proud member of AIPAD and CPGA, and we curate multiple exhibitions annually in Paris and Los Angeles. My goal is simple: to create a dialogue between cultures and disciplines through photography, a universal language that continues to inspire me every day.
This journey has been about innovation and passion—qualities that earned me the honor of Chevalier de la Légion d’Honneur. Today, I remain committed to supporting artists and collectors worldwide, making Galerie XII a destination for those who believe in the power of images to tell stories

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
As many Los Angeles galleries we have been navigating a perfect storm in recent years. The pandemic’s aftershocks lingered. Things were getting better in 2024—and then 2025 opened with these devastating fires. The following months were impacted by the uncertainty in tariffs. At the same time, the digital revolution has rewritten the rules: online viewing rooms and virtual previews are no longer optional but essential, demanding heavy investment and constant innovation. Survival now means mastering both worlds—creating vibrant physical experiences while competing in an increasingly crowded digital marketplace.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Galerie XII’s roster is defined by artists who see photography not as a limit, but as a launchpad. Their work blends narrative depth with visual poetry, often crossing into other disciplines—painting, collage, sculpture, embroidery, and video—creating pieces that feel both timeless and experimental. Mona Kuhn is celebrated for her luminous, intimate portraits that explore identity and human connection, while Paolo Ventura crafts cinematic worlds through staged photography and hand-painted backdrops. Anja Niemi brings conceptual rigor to self-portraiture, weaving narratives of solitude and strength, and Scarlett Hooft Graafland transforms remote landscapes into surreal visual poems. What unites them is a commitment to photography as an evolving art form—rich in concept, layered in technique, and fearless in its dialogue with contemporary culture.

We love surprises, fun facts and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?
Since 2025, we’ve broadened our artistic horizons by welcoming international painters to our program. This includes the delicate, atmospheric watercolors of Juana Cespédes from Barcelona, whose work evokes Mediterranean light and intimacy; the vibrant, textured oil-on-canvas compositions of Patricia Garcia from Guadalajara, Mexico, exploring cultural memory and contemporary identity; and the refined, meditative abstractions of Hur Kyung-Ae from Korea, where color and gesture converge in a dialogue between tradition and modernity.
This move reflects our belief that photography and painting share a common language of storytelling and emotion. By integrating these mediums, Galerie XII creates a richer, more dynamic conversation between image and imagination—offering collectors and visitors a curated experience that celebrates diversity in technique and vision.

Pricing:

• PODA prints: $69
• Contemporary photographs: $1500-$12,000
• Paintings: $900-$60,000
• Artist books: $29-60
• Prints: $290

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.galeriexii.com
• Instagram: galerie_xii
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/valerie-anne-giscard-d-estaing
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@galeriexiiparis1986

Image Credits
Carole Bellaiche
Galerie XII