André Kertész

signed twice and dated '1927' in pencil and with the photographer's '75 Boulevard Montparnasse, Paris 6' studio and copyright stamps on the reverse, framed, a National Gallery of Art exhibition label on the reverse, 1926

Estate of the photographer

Houk Friedman Gallery, New York

Collection of Michael H. Glicker

Christie's New York, 9 October 1997, Sale 8748, Lot 72

Washington, D. C., National Gallery of Art, André Kertész, February - May 2005, and traveling to Los Angeles County Museum of Art, June - September 2005

Sarah Greenough, Robert Gurbo, and Sarah Kennel, André Kertész (Washington, D. C.: National Gallery of Art, 2005), pl. 53 (this print)

Vu, 18 April 1928, No. 5, p. 125

Sandra S. Phillips, David Travis, and Weston J. Naef, André Kertész: Of Paris and New York (The Art Institute of Chicago and The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 1985), p. 138

Nicolas Ducrot, ed., André Kertész: Sixty Years of Photography, 1912-1972 (New York, 1972), p. 121

André Kertész: Diary of Light, 1912-1985 (Aperture and The International Center of Photography, 1986), pl. 73

Michel Frizot and Annie-Laure Wanaverbecq, André Kertész (Paris: Jeu de Paume, 2010), p. 80

This early print, on carte postale trimmed to the image and with a semi-matte surface, is in generally excellent condition. The upper edge is rubbed, with tiny emulsion loss near the right corner. When examined in raking light, the small areas where the print is hinged on the reverse have rendered the print's surface slightly shiny on the front.
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 photograph shows the Roth Quartet, founded by Czech-born, Budapest-educated violinist Feri Róth.  When Kertész was asked by Róth to photograph the quartet for publicity purposes, the photographer used the session as an opportunity to experiment with unconventional cropping.  In the present photograph, Kertész has tightened the frame to a narrow rectangle that focuses upon the musical score and the musicians’ hands and instruments. His radical cropping and careful placement of elements within this narrow frame accentuate the rhythmic musicality of the image.