Richard Avedon 1923-2004

mounted to aluminum, signed, dated, and inscribed 'For Laura and Bob from Dick' by the photographer in ink and with the In the American West series title, title, date, photographer's credit, copyright, and inscription 'Unique print' and 'Gift to Laura Wilson in appreciation for her contribution to In The American West,' etched on the reverse, 1982, printed in 1985

Gift of the photographer to the present owner, 1985

Another print of this image:

Richard Avedon, In the American West (New York, 2005), rear cover and unpaginated

This print, on cool white, semi-glossy paper, is in generally good to very good condition. Upon examination in raking light, a uniformed crackling of the emulsion is visible overall. Also visible in raking light, mainly in the subject's clothing, are a few small areas of the photographer's original retouching and a number of very minor surface scratches. Just to the left of the subject's head are two small spots of light-brown surface soiling, each approximately 1/16-inch. There are also 2-3 smaller light brown circular spots of soiling on the print's surface. Additionally, surrounding one of the faint spots, just to the left of the sitter's jaw, there are small losses of emulsion, creating a matte surface effect in the white area. These small chips are contained within a 1 1/2- x 1/2-inch area.
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.

The photograph offered here comes from the collection of photographer Laura Wilson, Richard Avedon's assistant during the In the American West series.  Wilson met Avedon at one of the first planning meetings for the project in 1979, and worked with him for the duration of the six-year project.   Traveling each summer with Avedon, she researched locations, planned trips, scouted for sitters, and assisted with the photography. 

Avedon's work on the series In the American West resulted in 752 negatives, 123 of which were featured in an exhibition by the same name held at the Amon Carter Museum, Fort Worth, in 1985.  The negatives for these portraits are held in the museum's archives, and under Avedon's instructions are not to be printed again.  The negatives not used to produce prints for the exhibition were destroyed.

According to The Richard Avedon Foundation, this print is one of only four produced in this size format.  The other three prints are in the collections of the Amon Carter Museum (one print) and The Richard Avedon Foundation, housed at The Center for Creative Photography, Tucson (two prints).  Additionally, there are two smaller engraver's prints in the collection of The Richard Avedon Foundation.