Edward Weston

mounted, initialed, dated, and inscribed with a copyright symbol in pencil on the mount, signed, titled, dated, numbered 'C44-CTS-4,' and inscribed with a copyright symbol in pencil on the reverse, 1944

The photographer to Jean Kellogg, Carmel

Gift from the above, circa 1950s, and thence by descent to the present owner, late 1970s

Conger 1735

Edward Weston and Charis Wilson, The Cats of Wildcat Hill (New York, 1947), p. 43

Jennifer A. Watts, ed., Edward Weston, A Legacy (Los Angeles: The Huntington Library, 2003), p. 24

This early print, on semi-glossy paper, is in generally excellent condition. Upon close inspection in raking light only, the following are visible: scattered deposits of original retouching; and extremely faint silvering in the darkest areas of the print, most noticeably in the cat's fur and some parts of the driftwood. The mount is age-darkened at the edges.There is intermittent light-brown staining along the upper and lower edges of the mount. There are scattered rust-colored deposits, possibly foxing, on the front and reverse.
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.

Weston considered this picture of ‘Kitty John in Panther Pose on driftwood stump’ his best cat portrait.  A print of it was included in Weston’s 1946 retrospective at The Museum of Modern Art and it was one of 18 cat portraits published the following year in The Cats of Wildcat Hill.  When Minor White suggested in an essay that Weston must have 'terrorized' Johnny to get this result, Weston responded, '[Johnny]. . . my pet cat who worshipped me.  By no stretch of the imagination could his alert exhibitionism be construed as terror' (quoted in Conger 1735). 

This photograph comes originally from the collection of painter and printmaker Jean Kellogg (1910-1995).  As part of Weston's artistic circle in the 1930s and 1940s, Kellogg posed for portraits by Weston's lover Sonya Noskowiak and appeared in several photographs by Weston.  As a sign of affection for Kellogg, Weston named another one of his cats, Kelly, for her.