Edward Weston

on a buff mount, signed and dated in pencil on the mount, a letterpress 'Edward Weston Carmel-by-the Sea, California' label, with order no. '23' in pencil, on the reverse, 1932 (cf. Conger 677-679)

Acquired from the photographer by Benjamin H. Lehman, professor at the University of California, Berkeley, circa 1932

By descent to Hal and Nora Lehman

Newport Beach, Orange County Museum of Art, 15 Minutes of Fame: Portraits from Ansel Adams to Andy Warhol, May - September 2010

This early print, on semi-glossy paper that is on a buff-colored card mount, is in generally good condition. The edges of the print are very slightly warmer than the rest of the photograph. A few tiny rust-colored spots, likely foxing, are visible under close examination at the edges where the print meets the mount. When examined in raking light, faint scuffs, scratches, indentations, as well as a tiny accretion in the sitter's forehead, are visible overall. These are not visible under normal viewing conditions and do not detract from this arresting photograph. The front of the mount is lightly soiled and age-darkened, except around the periphery of the print, where it is lighter. On the reverse of the mount, a 5-inch horizontal tear is visible in the upper portion. This is not visible from the front and doesn't appear to have affected the print. The reverse of the mount is foxed, soiled, and the edges are age-darkened.
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 April 1932, Weston attended a performance by German expressionist modern dancer and choreographer Harald Kreutzberg in Carmel.  A few days later, encountering Kreutzberg at his exhibition at the Denny-Watrous gallery, Weston asked him to pose.  This striking image, capturing one of the dancer’s trademark hand gestures, is not among those published in Conger.