Brassaï

ferrotyped, the photographer's '81, Rue du Faubourg St-Jacques' studio stamp on the reverse, framed, The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, and Brooklyn Museum of Art exhibition labels on the reverse, circa 1930-32

Originally in the collection of publishers Arts et Métiers Graphiques

The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, Brassai: The Eye of Paris, December 1998 - February 1999; and traveling to:

Los Angeles, The J. Paul Getty Museum, April - July 1999

Washington, D. C., National Gallery of Art, October 1999 - January 2000

Brooklyn Museum of Art, A Family Album: Brooklyn Collects, March - July 2001

Ann Wilkes Tucker, Richard Howard, and Avis Berman, Brassaï: The Eye of Paris (The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, 1999), cat. no. 10 (this print)

This ferrotyped print is in generally very good condition. As is typical of the ferrotyping process, superficial surface scratches, pitting, and a slight unevenness of the generally glossy surface are visible. In high raking light, a number of small, soft and sharp handling creases are visible overall, some of which appear to break the emulsion. Fingerprints and a few deposits of original retouching are also visible in raking light. On the reverse of the print, the photographer's studio stamp reads: '81, Rue du Faubourg St-Jacques, Paris XIV, Téléph.: Port-Royal 23-41.' The reverse of the print is age-appropriately darkened and there are 3 thin abrasions to the upper paper-ply from previous hinges. When examined under ultraviolet light, this print does not appear to fluoresce.
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.