David Bailey, b. 1938) Sharon Tate and Roman Polanski, 1969, gelatin silver print, printed 1988, signed in ink, typed title and date on labels affixed (on the reverse of the frame) 33¼ x 33in. (84.4 x 83.8cm.) Estimate: $8,000 - 12,000. Photo: Christie's Images Ltd., 2009.
NEW YORK, NY.- Christie’s announced the sale of Photographs on December 7, which will conclude the Fall 2009 season for the category. With viewings open to the public from December 3-6, the sale presents a distinct array of themes varying from the examination of the human form, the western frontier, to decadent and glamorous fashion photography. The 190 lots included in the sale are expected to realize in the region of $950,000-$1.4 million.
Important highlights from the sale include a unique oversized print by David Bailey of Sharon Tate and Roman Polanski, (estimate: $8,000-12,000) made for a 1989 traveling exhibition, The Art of Photography: 150 years, 1839-1989. This defining image of the couple was taken the year Sharon Tate fell victim to the murder spree of the Charles Manson-led cult, and represents one of the last images of Tate with her husband, film director Roman Polanski. This oversized version was not printed until 1988. One of the creative forces during the 1960s cultural explosion known as ‘Swinging London,’ Bailey set out to capture some of the most iconic figures of the moment and his publication Goodbye Baby and Amen, to which this photograph belongs, is a fascinating tribute to that era.
The sale’s cover lot is a captivating work by Thomas Struth, Grab von Lu Xun, Shanghai Express, 1997, (estimate: $20,000-30,000). This large format, decidedly detailed and meditative image is emblematic of Struth's work during the mid to late 1990s. The present lot bridges the gap between his smaller format Shanghai street scenes and later large scale Paradise series works, all nearly void of human presence. Another auction highlight, Richard Avedon’s portrait of the legendary New York socialite Babe Paley, 1960 (estimate: $10,000-15,000), is accompanied by an original glassine sleeve dedicated ‘For the Babe! xxx Dick’.
Thomas Struth, Grab von Lu Xun, Shanghai Express, 1997, chromogenic print, printed 1998, signed twice, titled, dated and numbered '9/10' in pencil (on the frame backing) 54½ x 69in. (138.4 x 175.3cm.) Estimate: $20,000 - 30,000. Photo: Christie's Images Ltd., 2009.
Richard Avedon (1923-2004) Babe Paley, 1960, gelatin silver print, signed in pencil (on the recto) 13¾ x 10 5/8in. (35 x 27cm.) Estimate: $10,000 - 15,000. Photo: Christie's Images Ltd., 2009.
The sale will feature a fascinating range of fashion photography. The haunting and spell-binding imagery of Japanese photographer, Izima Kaoru, is well represented; Hasegawa Kyoko wears Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche (estimate: $6,000-8,000) embodies the eerie sensation of ultimate beauty turned to horrific nightmare, and simultaneously forces the viewer to consider the serenity of death itself. Through stark contrasts of light and dark, William Klein’s Anouk Aimee, Paris, for Vogue, 1962, (estimate: $4,000-6,000) personifies the glamorous, luxurious, and classical beauty of old Hollywood. The essence of film noire is encapsulated in Horst P. Horst’s iconic Mainbocher Corset, 1939 (estimate $7,000-9,000), which beautifully contrasts the natural curves of the human figure with the inflexible lines of fashion.
Izima Kaoru (B. 1954), Hasegawa Kyoko wears Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche, 2003. Chromogenic print, face-mounted on plexiglas, printed 2005. Signed in ink on an artist's label affixed (on the frame backing); number 3 from an edition of 7. 16 x 13 inches (40.6 x 33cm.). Estimate: $6,000 - 8,000. Photo: Christie's Images Ltd., 2009.
William Klein, Anouk Aimée, Paris, for Vogue, 1962, gelatin silver print, printed later, signed, titled and dated in pencil (on the verso) 14 3/8 x 10½in. (36.5 x 26.7cm.) Estimate: $4,000 - 6,000. Photo: Christie's Images Ltd., 2009.
Horst P. Horst, Mainbocher Corset, 1939, gelatin silver print, printed later, blindstamp (in the margin); signed, title and date in pencil (on the verso) 12 x 7 7/8in. (30.4 x 22.5cm.) Estimate: $7,000 - 9,000. Photo: Christie's Images Ltd., 2009.
An important compilation of Ansel Adam’s photographs captures the vastness of the barren Western landscape. An oversized print of Moonrise, Hernandez, Northern New Mexico, 1941 (estimate: $25,000-35,000) and a Special Edition of Fine Prints: Photographs of Yosemite, 1960s (estimate: $20,000-30,000) contains some of Adam’s most classic, beloved images.
Ansel Adam, Moonrise, Hernandez, Northern New Mexico, c. 1941, oversized collotype print, signed in ink and blindstamp (on the recto) 36¾ x 44¾in. (93.6 x 104.2cm.) Estimate: $25,000-35,000. Photo: Christie's Images Ltd., 2009.
Ansel Adam, Special Edition of Fine Prints: Photographs of Yosemite, 18 gelatin silver prints, each printed 1960s, 17 signed in ink and one in pencil (on the mount); each variously numbered, titled in ink, credit and edition stamp (on the reverse of the mount) each approximately 9 3/8 x 7¼in. (24 x 18.5cm.) or the reverse (18) Estimate: $20,000-30,000. Photo: Christie's Images Ltd., 2009.
Among the notable highlights is a quintessential group of Edward S. Curtis photographs of Native Americans that illustrate their character and strength even in the face of increasing obsolescence. The platinum print, Zuni Governor, 1905 (estimate: $5,000-7,000) brings attention to the hard lines and shapes of the Governor’s face and captures his intensity and resolve. The earthy tonalities of An Oasis in the Badlands, 1905 (estimate: $4,000-6,000), an image of a lone chief on horseback, embodies the sorrow of a vanishing culture.
Edward S. Curtis (1868-1952) , Zuni Governor, 1905, platinum print, signed in wax pencil and 'E.S. Curtis Seattle' copyright credit blindstamp (in the margin) 7 5/8 x 4 7/8in. (19.4 x 12.4cm.) Estimate: $5,000-7,000. Photo: Christie's Images Ltd., 2009.
Edward S. Curtis (1868-1952), An Oasis in the Badlands, 1905, platinum print, signed in wax pencil and 'E.S. Curtis Seattle' copyright credit blindstamp (in the margin) 5 5/8 x 7 5/8in. (14.3 x 19.4cm.) Estimate: $4,000-6,000. Photo: Christie's Images Ltd., 2009.
The sale will contain a fine selection of Edward Weston nudes, several of the late Charis Wilson, his muse and model for over a decade. The gentle, gray tones and bend of the body of Torso, 1925, from Desnudos (estimate: $5,000-7,000), transform the figure into a sublime image of porcelain-like perfection. The black background of Nude, 1934 (estimate: $4,000-6,000) highlights the soft and fragile nature of the body, while the position reminds the viewer of the ways in which the body can shield and protect. The absence of the face in Weston’s nudes further focuses attention on the exquisite, abstract beauty and resilience of the human form.
Edward Weston (1886-1958), Torso, 1925, from Desnudos, gelatin silver print, printed 1972 by Cole Weston, signed, titled, dated, numbered '40N' in pencil by Cole Weston, 'Edward Weston' facsimile signature credit stamp and portfolio label affixed (on the reverse of the mount) 6 7/8 x 8 3/8in. (17.5 x 21.4cm.) Estimate: $5,000-7,000. Photo: Christie's Images Ltd., 2009.
Edward Weston (1886-1958), Nude, 1934, gelatin silver print, printed later by Cole Weston, signed, titled, dated, numbered '189N' in pencil by Cole Weston and 'Edward Weston' facsimile signature credit stamp (on the reverse of the mount) 3½ x 4 5/8in. (8.9 x 11.7cm.) Estimate: $4,000-6,000. Photo: Christie's Images Ltd., 2009.
Following the recent record-breaking success for a work by Marcus Aurelius Root this October at Christie's Miller-Plummer Collection auction, this sale will offer Root’s Boy with Cat, 10 July, 1855, (estimate: $4,000-6,000). The half-plate daguerreotype with hand-coloring depicts a young boy holding a small cat. Another daguerreotype depicting Two Children by Jeremiah Gurney (estimate: $3,000-5,000) will also be offered.
Marcus Aurelius Root (1808-1888), Boy with Cat, 10 July 1855, half-plate daguerreotype with hand-coloring, credit and date in ink on a label affixed (on the inside lid) 5½ x 4¼in. (14 x 11cm.) Estimate: $4,000-6,000. Photo: Christie's Images Ltd., 2009.
Jeremiah Gurney (1812-1886), Two Children, c. 1850, quarter-plate daguerreotype wth hand-coloring, stamped credit (on the brass mat), 4 1/8 x 3¼in. (10.7 x 8.2cm.) (oval) Estimate: $3,000-5,000. Photo: Christie's Images Ltd., 2009.
Rounding out the sale will be works by great masters of the medium Irving Penn, Robert Frank, Diane Arbus, Henri Cartier-Bresson, Joel-Peter Witkin, Harry Callahan, Peter Beard, Alfred Stieglitz, and Robert Mapplethorpe.
Auction: Photographs, 7 December at 2pm
Viewing: 3-6 December at Christie’s Rockefeller Center Galleries
