Clarence Kennedy (1892-1972)/Ansel Adams (1902-1984)

a group of 20 photographs, comprising Sculptural Studies, each mounted on Strathmore illustration board, 6 framed, circa 1928-32, printed later by Ansel Adams (20)

These prints, printed by Ansel Adams on matte-surface paper and mounted on Strathmore illustration board, are in generally excellent condition. The plates are the following: Diva Beatrix Aragona by Francesco Laurana - In raking light, a smudge of indeterminate nature on the surface of the print to the right of the sculpture. Foulc Madonna by Desiderio da Settignano Siphnian Treasury at Delphi, Combat of Zeus and Giants Siphnian Treasury at Delphi, East Frieze Parthenon, North Frieze Erectheum, Caryatid Porch, Parthenon Faith, from the Unfinished Monument to the Cardinal Niccolo Forteguerri at Pistoia, by Andrea del Verrocchio Detail of the Tomb of the Cardinal of Portugal by Antonio Rossellino Views of Putto Reclining by Andrea del Verrocchio Views of Putto Poised on a Globe by Andrea del Verrocchio Blessing Christ Child from Tabernacle of the Sacrament in San Lorenzo, by Desiderio da Settignano
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.

Clarence Kennedy was a professor of art at Smith College when his friend Edwin Land began the development of light-polarizing film.  According to Peter Wensberg, in his Land's Polaroid: A Company and the Man Who Invented It (Boston, 1987), it was Kennedy, in fact, who coined the name Polaroid.  Kennedy had long had an interest in optics and cameras; a scholar of classical and Renaissance art, he was renowned as a photographer who could bring sculpture to life in his numerous camera studies.  The photographs gallery at Polaroid's headquarters in Cambridge was named in his honor.

It is not known why Adams made the present prints from Kennedy's negatives, but his admiration for Kennedy, and the magical quality of his prints, is well-documented.