T his autumn, Sotheby’s will once again hold a dedicated Photographs auction in Paris. We are delighted to announce that the first 100 lots on offer come from the collection of renowned luxury shoe designer Ernesto Esposito. Carefully assembled over the course of four decades, the Esposito collection of photographs includes works by photography giants Thomas Ruff, Cindy Sherman, Robert Mapplethorpe, Helmut Newton, and Thomas Struth, as well as gems by artists that rarely appear at auction such as Dan Rees, James Bidgood, and Giasco Bertoli.
Highlights from the second part of the auction include works by early and mid-20th century masters Eugène Atget, Pierre Dubreuil, Henri Cartier-Bresson, Dave Heath, Man Ray, and Sasha Stone; as well as Contemporary masterpieces by Peter Beard, Nan Goldin, Daido Moriyama, Zanele Muholi and Shirin Neshat.
Photographs, Including Works from the Collection of Ernesto Esposito is scheduled to coincide with Paris Photo, the largest art fair devoted to the medium. Our pre-sale highlights exhibition will be on view from 12 to 15 November at Sotheby’s Paris. Please contact us in advance to view specific lots as not all works will be exhibited. Online bidding will be open from 10 to 16 November.
Sotheby’s is thrilled to present a curated selection of photographs from the Collection of Ernesto Esposito, the renowned Italian shoe designer. A self-proclaimed art addict, this offering in Paris follows the previous successful auctions of Esposito's Design Collection at Sotheby's Paris in 2021, and his Contemporary Works at Sotheby's London in 2015. For Esposito, photography is the most true and contemporary means of capturing people, hence the strong focus on portraiture in his collection. Other recurring themes include identity, youth, sensuality, and landscapes; with estimates spanning €100 to €80,000, there is something for everyone to enjoy.
