Edward Weston

annotated on the reverse, 1924

Acquired from Felipe Teixidor, 1966

New York, The Museum of Modern Art, Edward Steichen Photography Center reinstallation, 1979

This warm-toned print, on a medium-weight paper with a matte finish, is in generally very good condition. Visible upon close examination are the following: a ½-inch linear crease in the center of the image that breaks the emulsion slightly; a pencil-point sized deposit of indeterminate substance on the figure's sleeve; and faint silvering in the dark areas of the print. There are several chips in the emulsion along the bottom edge of the print. Deposits of the photographer's original retouching are visible in the lower right corner of the print, apparently to camouflage a loss in the negative. These issues are not immediately apparent when the print is viewed in a standard overmat and do not detract from the overall quality of the print.
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:

credited to the photographer and with various notations in an unidentified hand in pencil on the reverse, matted, 1924

Weston made at least four different photographs of the painter Rafael Sala.  In these variants, almost certainly made during the same session, Sala appears with his portfolio and/or one of his paintings (Conger 153).  One of these studies, showing Sala with the same painting that appears in the image offered here, is reproduced in Edward Weston in Mexico, Figure 5.

Born in Spain, Sala studied painting and had a solo exhibition of his work in New York City in 1923.  He travelled to Mexico later that year with his wife, the writer Monna Alfau, to visit his close friend, the book dealer and historian Felipe Teixidor, whom he had known in Spain.  Alfau and Sala stayed in the country, and threw themselves into the active cultural life of Mexico City.  Sala first encountered Weston at the exhibition of Weston's work at the Aztec Land Gallery.  The Salas and Teixidor were soon accompanying Weston and Modotti on their photographic excursions into the countryside.  In his Daybooks, Weston wrote, 'in mentioning close friends, I do not overlook the Salas.  I have seen more of them than any other "person," but it is collectively that I always think and speak of Monna, Rafael, Felipe, and their unavoidable dogs' (Edward Weston in Mexico, pp. 15-16).  After Sala's death in 1927, Alfau married Teixidor, from whom the present photograph was purchased.