Harry Callahan

flush-mounted to Masonite, a Museum of Modern Art exhibition label and stamp on the reverse, 1948, printed no later than 1952

Detroit, The Museum of Modern Art circulating exhibition, Diogenes with a Camera II, 1952 (possibly this print)

Aperture, p. 41

This photograph is in generally good to very good condition. There is wear and consequent intermittent chipping of the emulsion at the edges, and the corners are bumped. A small portion of the lower right corner is broken off and missing. A faint linear surface scuff, a small spot of light brown staining, and a 1/4-inch indentation breaking the emulsion are visible. In raking light, the following are visible: age-appropriate silvering in the dark areas, minor cracking on the surface (typical of prints mounted to Masonite), and a few tiny pinpoint indentations and minor surface scuffs, none of which breaks the emulsion. The reverse, in overall good condition, is lightly soiled, and there is a large band of old adhesive in the lower portion.
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 full catalogue information for this lot is as follows:

flush-mounted to Masonite, a Museum of Modern Art Diogenes with a Camera II exhibition label, Museum Study Collection and Department of Photographs stamps, and notations in an unidentified hand in pencil on the reverse, 1948, printed no later than 1952

This print was made and mounted by Compo Photo Services, a New York commercial lab frequently used by the Museum to produce large exhibition prints.

This print was shown in Steichen's Diogenes with a Camera exhibition series, named for the Greek philosopher dedicated to the search for truth. Each Diogenes exhibition was devoted to a small group of photographers. Along with Callahan, the photographers Esther Bubley, Eliot Porter, W. Eugene Smith, Frederick Sommer, Edward Weston, and Robert Frank were featured.