- 74
Josef Koudelka
Estimate
18,000 - 23,000 GBP
bidding is closed
Description
- Josef Koudelka
- 'Reconstruction of a Homicide. In the Foreground: a Young Gipsy Suspected of Being Guilty, Czechoslovakia, Solvaki, Jarabina', 1963
- Signed in ink recto in margin
Good condition. Pencil annotations on verso: :K9/P9 18/OJK-012 - Silver gelatin print
- Image size: 35.8 x 23.1 cm / Paper size: 41 x 30.3 cm
Silver print, printed later. Signed in ink in the lower margin.
Provenance
Rick Wester Fine Art, New York
Literature
Josef Koudelka, Gypsies, Aperture, 1975, n.p.
Condition
This print is in overall very good to excellent condition. With some light retouching marks throughout the print and a small handling mark in the lower left quadrant, and with light undulation to the lower edge of the sheet, only visible in raking light. With slightly softened 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. 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
Koudelka has spent his entire life living a nomadic existence. It is, perhaps, for this reason that his studies on gypsies are exceptionally poignant, as he no doubt identified to an extent with their way of life. A Young Gypsy suspected of being guilty, 1963, captures a young gypsy handcuffed in the foreground, whilst behind stand onlookers and police. The figure is taking part in a murder reconstruction, of which he is suspected of being guilty. The panic and fear on the young man’s face makes this a particularly powerful image, and it is also indicative of the treatment of gypsies in Europe at the time.