Ruth Orkin

mural-sized, on a Masonite box mount, an Orkin/Engel Film & Photo Archive label, titled, dated, and signed by Mary Engel, the photographer's daughter, on the reverse, 1951, printed no later than 1985; accompanied by a letter of authenticity from the Orkin/Engel Film & Photo Archive (American Girl in Italy, cover and pl. 10)

This mural is in generally excellent condition. Very minor edge chipping and occasional rubbing are visible at the image periphery. Upon extremely close examination in high raking light, a very fine craquelure is visible in the upper left quadrant of the image. In the early 1980s, the photographer supervised a print run of approximately 25 photographs in this size format, of which this is '20.'
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.

During the summer of 1951, photojournalist Ruth Orkin was returning to the United States from Israel via Italy, and a topic for a photo essay began to form in her mind: namely, the experiences and obstacles that women traveling alone encounter. At the Hotel Berchelli in Florence, she met a young American woman, 23-year-old Sarah Lawrence graduate Ninalee (Jinx) Allen, later Craig, who was there studying art. Ruth asked Mrs. Craig if she would be interested in being the subject of her story, and she happily agreed.

Orkin originally planned to shoot her sketching by the Arno, but on their way to the proposed site, the photographer spied a group of men in the Piazza della Repubblica. Craig says, 'Ruth ran ahead of me and out into the intersection. She took one picture, asked me to back up, and took a second.' It took all of 'about 35 seconds,' according to Mrs. Craig. Mrs. Orkin said that she spoke only to the men on the motor scooter, instructing them to tell the other men not to look at the camera. Mrs. Craig says that she was not coached by the photgrapher and that her inspiration for her demeanor was Beatrice in Dante's Divine Comedy. 'Walking about Florence, I felt I was Beatrice, with great dignity to uphold' (Shaun Considine, New York Times, April 30, 1995).