Ansel Adams
'Sierra Nevada' (Two Dead Trees Against Black Sky)
Ansel Adams
1902 - 1984
'Sierra Nevada' (Two Dead Trees Against Black Sky)
gelatin silver print, mounted, signed, titled, and dated in pencil and with a Michael and Jeanne Adams collection stamp on the reverse, framed, Museum of Modern Art and San Francisco Museum of Modern Art loan labels on the reverse, 1925, probably printed in the 1930s
image: 7 7/8 by 5 1/2 in. (20 by 14 cm.)
frame: 19 1/4 by 15 1/4 in. (48.9 by 38.7 cm.)
This photograph has a semi-glossy surface and is mounted to slick board. Upon close examination in raking light, the following is visible: a few pin-point-sized deposits of original retouching overall; and a small zigzag scratch that does not appear to break the emulsion near the left edge of the image. The tips of the corners are insignificantly bumped.
The mount is trimmed to 8-3/8 by 6-1/2 inches. There is a very small rust-colored adhesion in the left side of the mount. On the reverse of the mount, there are a few stray ink marks and 5 pen-point-sized faint rust colored spots of indeterminate nature. 'AA/1622' is in a modern hand in pencil.
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.
By descent to Michael and Jeanne Adams, 1980s
Acquired from the above, 2006
Janet Swan Bush, ed., Trees (Boston, 2004), p. 25
The Art Institute of Chicago, February – June 2002
London, Hayward Gallery, July – September 2002
Berlin, Kunstbibliothek, October 2002 – January 2003
Los Angeles County Museum of Art, February – April 2003
New York, The Museum of Modern Art, July – November 2003