Frantisek Drtikol

pigment print, the photographer's blindstamp on the image, flush-mounted, mounted again, signed and dated in pencil on the mount, signed, titled, numbered 'V,' and annotated with the photographer's studio address 'Praha II. Vodičkova 7. Czechoslovakia.' and 'Pigment' in ink and with Pictorial Photographic Society of San Francisco, Edinburgh Photographic Society, and Salon International d'Art Photographique de Bruxelles exhibition labels on the reverse, 1928

San Francisco Pictorial Photographic Society, Fifth International Exhibition, 1928

Edinburgh Photographic Society, Sixty-Seventh Open Exhibition, 1929

Brussels, Musée Royaux du Cinquantenaire, 3rd Salon International d'Art Photographique de Bruxelles, 1929

Katerina Klaricova, Frantisek Dritikol (Prague, 1989), pl. 96

Annette and Rudolf Kicken, Drtikol Photographs (Ostfildern, 2012), p. 27

This print has all of the richness and presence characteristic of Drtikol's masterful pigment prints. The dark areas have great depth, and the highlights have a creamy tonality. The print is essentially in excellent condition. Close examination shows a few tiny rust-colored deposits of indeterminate nature in the right portion of the image and occasional deposits of original retouching overall. In high raking light, a tiny raised area near the sitter's face is barely visible. The tip of the upper left corner is creased and the attendant break in the emulsion appears to have been filled in. The textured cream-colored mount is somewhat soiled, and there are a few small rust-colored deposits near the upper and lower edges. The margin corners are bumped and the upper right corner is slightly creased.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.