Tina Modotti (1896-1942), or possibly Edward Weston (1886-1958)

traces of an old mount on the reverse, 1920s

Tina Modotti: Photographien & Documente, p. 66

This photograph is on double-weight paper with a smooth matte finish. While it is certainly a gelatin silver print, its long range of subtly shifting grays suggests the tonal scale of platinum. The print is essentially in excellent condition. There is a ½-inch vertical crease in the upper left corner that breaks the emulsion very slightly. There is some scattered minor chipping of the emulsion on the edges of the print, and a tiny rust-colored spot near the bottom edge, below and to the left of the gourd bird's pedestal. These problems do not diminish the overall affect of this lovely and sensitively rendered print. There are glue remains along the top edge of the reverse, as well as two small circular glue remains in the lower corners of the reverse. The presence of these is significant, in that they indicate that this print was at one time affixed to an exhibition or presentation mount.
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. Illustrations in the catalogue may not be actual size. Prospective purchasers are reminded that, unless the catalogue description specifically states that a stone is natural, we have assumed that some form of treatment may have been used and that such treatment may not be permanent. Our presale estimates reflect this assumption.
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This unsigned portrait study, which was in Tina Modotti's collection at the time of her death, shares characteristics of the work of both Modotti and Edward Weston.  The simple portrait of the young girl with her direct gaze may be stylistically more typical of Weston.  The photograph is credited to Modotti in the volume Tina Modotti: Photographien & Dokumente. 

The gourd bird pictured here – perhaps a stork or a goose – appears in other Modotti photographs, most notably in a study of a puppet of Rene d'Harnoncourt (cf. Sotheby's New York, 6 October 1999, Sale 7348, Lot 159).  Edward Weston was also fond of photographing these Mexican folk-art animals, and his photographs include ones of a white heron made from gourds (Edward Weston in Mexico, figs. 22 and 23) and gourd swans (Conger 152). 

This photograph comes originally from the collection of Vittorio Vidali (1900 - 1983), Modotti's close friend and companion during the last 15 years of her life.