John Beasly Greene

albumenized salt print from a waxed-paper negative, 1856

Sotheby's New York, 6 April 2000, Sale 7450, Lot 67

Galerie Zur Stockeregg: Thirty Years, 1979-2009 (Zurich, 2009), pl. 2 (this print)

Grading this albumenized salt print on a scale of 1 to 10 – a 10 being a salt print with deep brown dark tones and highlights that retain all of their original detail – this print rates a strong 10. Its tones are a lush purplish-brown and an astonishing level of detail is visible, both in the individual stones of the burial mound and grassy foreground. This print is in good condition. The few faint spots that are visible in the sky area are in the negative and are not flaws in the print itself. When the print is viewed in raking light, pervasive faint creasing can be seen on the surface. In the lower left quadrant, a small imperfection in the paper is visible only upon the closest examination. Faint silvering is visible in the black margins, which have been unevenly trimmed. There is a small crease or repaired tear in the left margin. The reverse of the print is affixed to a modern mount at the corners.
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.

In December of 1855, on his second Egyptian expedition, John Beasly Greene traveled to Algeria.  It was here that he became the official photographer for a French excavation of the burial mound Le Tombeau de la Chrétienne (the Tomb of the Christian Woman), located 85 miles southwest of Algiers.  The funerary monument was so named because of the cross-like pattern that decorated its false door.  Also known as the Royal Mausoleum of Mauretania, the mound was constructed in the first century B. C. E.   The mausoleum is thought to be the resting place of the king and queen of Mauretania, Juba II (50 B. C. E. – 24 C. E.) and Cleopatra Selene II (circa 40 B. C. E – circa 11 C. E.), the daughter of Cleopatra and Mark Anthony.  The present photograph shows the mausoleum before complete excavation. 

John Beasly Greene authority William Stapp locates only three prints of this image in public collections: the Institute de France, in a portfolio of 14 images of the tomb; the National Gallery of Canada, Ottawa; and the Art Institute of Chicago.  The collector Paul Walter owned a print, sold in our rooms in London in 2001.