Lot 34
  • 34

Imogen Cunningham

Estimate
30,000 - 50,000 USD
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Description

  • Imogen Cunningham
  • Magnolia
  • gelatin silver print
signed in pencil in the margin, framed, 1925

Literature

Margery Mann, Imogen Cunningham: Photographs (Seattle, 1970), pl. 11

Imogen Cunningham, Frontiers: Photographs 1906-1976 (Berkeley: The Imogen Cunningham Trust, 1978), table 4, image C; and pl. 34

Richard Lorenz, Imogen Cunningham: Ideas without End (San Francisco, 1993), pl. 38 

Richard Lorenz, Imogen Cunningham: The Modernist Years (Tokyo, 1993), unpaginated

Richard Lorenz, Imogen Cunningham: Flora (New York, 1996), pl. 11 

Condition

This large, luminous, early print is on the matte-surface paper with a smooth surface typical of Cunningham's prints from the 1920's. It has a pleasingly warm and nuanced tonality. Upon close examination, in raking light, small deposits of the photographer's original retouching are visible overall. This print is in generally very good condition, and has been expertly conserved. The print has been laid down on a modern Japanese paper mount and a long, diagonal tear in the upper right quadrant has been repaired. As is visible in the catalogue illustration, the area around the repair is very slightly yellowed. While the faint outline of this tear remains visible, it is an otherwise exceptional rare print of this iconic image. There is a small loss to the lower right margin corner that does not affect the image, and there are pin-holes in the other margin corners. There are a few scattered areas of very subtle, gray soiling in the margins. The reverse of the mount has a small purplish stain along the lower edge.
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.