Frederick Sommer 1905-1999

mounted, signed, titled, and dated by the photographer in pencil on the reverse, matted, framed, 1939

The Friends of Photography, San Francisco

Christie's New York, 31 October 1988, Sale 6692, Lot 69

Private Collection

Christie's New York, 8 April 1998, Sale 8884, Lot 303

Acquired by Nancy Richardson from the above

The Art Museum, Princeton University, In Celebration: Works of Art from the Collections of Princeton Alumni and Friends of the Art Museum, February - June 1997

In Celebration: Works of Art from the Collections of Princeton Alumni and Friends of the Art Museum, Princeton University (Princeton, 1997, in conjunction with the exhibition), p. 364, pl. 345 (this print)

Based on the appearance of the mount and the age-appropriate silvering in the dark areas in the image, we believe this to be an early print. It is in generally excellent condition. The typical, early beige board mount is age-darkened at the periphery.
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 December of 1937, Sommer purchased an 8-by-10-inch format Century Universal View camera and a Zeiss Tassar lens which allowed him to photograph objects in extreme close-up and in great detail.  The acquisition of this new equipment led to the collagistic still life studies that would become a significant component of his oeuvre.  Sommer collected objects that appealed to him - old toys, bits of trash, scraps of wallpaper, etc. - and would later arrange them carefully in front of his camera.  Valise d'Adam, present in the Nancy Richardson Collection as Lot 69, is an iconic example of this aspect of Sommer's work. 

Some of the earliest work in this vein is the unprecedented series of images of chicken parts Sommer began in 1938.  These were initially inspired by a visit to the meat counter of the local supermarket, when he first saw chickens, as well as the typically discarded innards, as potential subject matter.  For two years, Sommer worked intensively with chicken parts, and two of the most interesting images from this series are offered here, in the present lot and in Lot 76. 

At the time of this writing, the Frederick Sommer Foundation records only 3 other prints of this image.