Cindy Sherman

chromogenic print, mounted, framed, 2 Metro Pictures, New York, labels, one signed, dated, and editioned '9/10' by the photographer in ink, and a Fundacion Caja de Pensiones, Madrid, exhibition label on the reverse, 1981

Acquired from Metro Pictures, New York, 1981

Barcelona, Fundacion Caja de Pensiones, Art and Its Double: A New York Perspective, November 1996 - January 1987; and traveling to:

Madrid, Caja de Pensiones, February - March 1987

Cindy Sherman (New York: Whitney Museum of American Art, 1987, in conjunction with the exhibition), pl. 59 (another print)

This print is in generally excellent condition. The colors are rich and saturated with no apparent fading, although the print margins show the slight darkening typical of chromogenic prints. Upon close examination, 2 pin-point-sized impressions are visible in the sitter's hair and to the left of her face, possibly due to original retouching. Visible in the upper left quadrant of the image are small, light surface scratches and various transparent deposits, perhaps original retouching. A small piece of hair is adhered to the surface of the print in the left portion of the image, and a small fingerprint is visible in the top center of the image, both likely having occurred during processing. Visible only in raking light are some raised areas, likely particles trapped between the print and the mount during dry-mounting. None of these issues detracts from the overall attractive appearance of the print. This photograph is in the same mat and frame as when purchased by the present owner from Metro Pictures in 1981. It is partially overmatted: along the entire top margin edge, and in an isolated area along the bottom right margin edge.
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 1981, following the success of her Untitled Film Stills, Artforum solicited Cindy Sherman to create a fresh series of photographs for a double-page spread in its publication.  Ruminating on the glossy photographic narratives in mainstream pornographic magazines, Sherman produced a series of horizontal images that resemble salacious centerfolds in their harsh lighting, tight cropping, downward vantage point, and intimate tone.  This series, from which the photograph offered here comes, was immediately condemned as misogynistic and Artforum did not publish any of the images.  As Sherman explains, however, '. . . I wanted to create something that people could relate to without having read a book about it beforehand; even if he didn't understand it completely, he would still be able to get something out of it.  That was how I came up with culture, I wanted to imitate it and make fun of it, and that's what I actually did' (Photographic Work 1975 - 1995, p. 11).