Frederick Sommer 1905-1999

mounted, signed and dated by the photographer in pencil on the reverse, matted, 1962

Collection of the William Hill Land and Cattle Company

Christie's New York, 8 April 1998, Sale 8884, Lot 304

Acquired by Nancy Richardson from the above

Another print of this image:

Aperture, 10:4, 1962, p. 173

This print, on paper with a surface sheen, and mounted to a large buff-colored mount, is in generally excellent condition. When examined in high raking light, an extremely slight wave is evident in the center of the print. This is not at all apparent when viewing the photograph under normal conditions.
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.

In the late 1950s, Sommer began a series of photographs made without the use of a camera.  Using a combination of materials that included grease, paint, and smoke, Sommer created a synthetic negative on glass or cellophane, and then used this to make a photographic print.  A meticulous photographic craftsman, Sommer was amazed by the degree of resolution he achieved with his smoke-on-glass negatives.  In a talk given in 1971, Sommer stated, 'if all goes well, the definition is magnificent; there are no grain problems because soot can outperform silver images any day' (Leland Rice, Frederick Sommer at Seventy-Five: A Retrospective, p. 18). 

As of this writing, the Frederick Sommer Foundation records no more than 6 prints of this image.