Harry Callahan

flush-mounted on illustration board, signed in pencil and with annotations in pencil, ink, and crayon and a Museum of Modern Art Diogenes with a Camera II exhibition label and Museum Study Collection stamp on the reverse, framed, 1949, printed no later than 1952

Extended loan to The Museum of Modern Art from the photographer, from the 1950s on; gift of the photographer, 1992

Sotheby's New York, Photographs from The Museum of Modern Art, 22 October 2002, Sale 7851, Lot 7

Collection of Joseph and LaVerne Schieszler, Illinois

Sotheby's New York, Photographs from the Collection of Joseph and LaVerne Schieszler, 10 October 2005, Sale 8164, Lot 29

Detroit, The Museum of Modern Art circulating exhibition, Diogenes with a Camera II, 1952

New York, The Museum of Modern Art, Photographs by Harry Callahan and Robert Frank, January - April 1962

'In and Out of Focus,' U. S. Camera Annual 1949, p. 15

Harry Callahan (The Museum of Modern Art, 1967), p. 32

Sarah Greenough, Harry Callahan (National Gallery of Art, 2001), fig. 8

Peter Galassi, Walker Evans & Company (The Museum of Modern Art, 2000), pl. 286

This early print is essentially in very good to excellent condition. There is some very minor, inconsequential wear at the edges. When the print is examined closely in raking light, a few light indentations that do not break the emulsion can be seen in the surface. They do not detract from the otherwise fine appearance of this print. On the reverse of the mount, there are several annotations: 'ext. loan Mar. 1952' in pencil 'Wells 54' in ink '#12' in red crayon 'H. C. 103' in pencil
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.

This print was shown in the Diogenes with a Camera exhibition series organized by Edward Steichen at The Museum of Modern Art.  The series was named for the Greek philosopher dedicated to the search for truth.  Each Diogenes exhibition was devoted to a small group of photographers.  Along with Callahan, the photographers Esther Bubley, Eliot Porter, W. Eugene Smith, Frederick Sommer, Edward Weston, and Robert Frank were featured.

"The sun never knew how great it was until it hit the side of a building."

Louis Kahn