- 36
Irving Penn
Estimate
40,000 - 60,000 GBP
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Description
- Irving Penn
- 'Rochas Mermaid Dress (Lisa Fonssagrives-Penn), Paris’, 1950
- Silver print
Silver print, printed c. 1959, flush-mounted to card. Signed, titled, dated, initialled and annotated Print made before 1959 in black pen, with the photographer’s stamp, the copyright stamp dated 1950/Renewed 1978, and the ‘Signed silver prints of this negative not exceeding 7’ stamp on the reverse. Mounted.
Provenance
Hamiltons Gallery, London
Literature
Sarah Greenough, Irving Penn: Platinum Prints, National Gallery of Art, Washington D. C., 2005, ill. pl. 22;
Merry Foresta and Will Stapp, Irving Penn: Master Images, Smithsonian Institution, Washington D.C., 1990, ill. pl. 28;
John Szarkowski, Irving Penn, The Museum of Modern Art, New York, 1984, ill. pl. 58;
Irving Penn, Passage: A Work Record, New York, 1991, ill. p. 81.
Merry Foresta and Will Stapp, Irving Penn: Master Images, Smithsonian Institution, Washington D.C., 1990, ill. pl. 28;
John Szarkowski, Irving Penn, The Museum of Modern Art, New York, 1984, ill. pl. 58;
Irving Penn, Passage: A Work Record, New York, 1991, ill. p. 81.
Condition
This print is in overall very good to excellent condition. With very light retouching marks throughout the print, and a line of machine-made dot marks from the mounting process in the upper right quadrant, only visible in raking light.
"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. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."
"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. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."
Catalogue Note
In July 1950, Vogue sent Penn to Paris to photograph the Fall couture collections. Clothes by the most coveted fashion houses were brought to Penn’s studio where he photographed the glamour against the backdrop of an old theatre curtain. Known for his pared-down style, Penn often photographed models in ordinary locations with natural lighting. Here, he has used the natural light of Paris to illuminate the subject against a backdrop that added an artistic feel. The photographs marked a rival in fashion photography that stemmed away from the staged and unnatural. Among the models, this particular work stood-out. It features Penn’s wife, model Lisa Fonssagrives-Penn wearing a mermaid dress by designer Marcel Rochas. As Penn’s muse, just weeks after this photo was taken the pair were married.