Sold for: $55,250

PROVENANCE
Acquired directly from the Estate of the Artist by Stephen Bulger Gallery, Toronto

An introduction to this sale by Stephen Bulger can be viewed here.

Please click here to view a guided tour of this Lot.

André Kertész is an undisputed master of photography, widely regarded as the father of photojournalism and street photography. From his pioneering work in Hungary (1912 -1925), through his influential work during Paris’s artistic heyday (1925 - 1936), and up to his final days in New York (1936 -1985), his photographs display an ability to infuse personal narrative and design into a documentary style that was uniquely his own. In a body of work that spans much of the 20th Century, Kertész created deceptively simple images of everyday life that reflected his own state of mind and questioned his very existence and his relationship to the world around him.

One of the most highlighted periods of his oeuvre relates to his early days in Paris and New York, between 1925 and 1939. Although he worked in many different formats, he is best known for contact prints, printed on postcard stock from 4 x 5 inch negatives created during this period. The Art Institute of Chicago is currently preparing an exhibition of prints from this period. These contact prints were often mounted on vellum for exhibition. Mounted vintage prints from this period have been highly sought after since artist’s passing.

In 1982, Kertész released a limited edition portfolio of his most iconic images from this period. Contact printed from the original negatives and hand tipped onto a handmade vellum paper, the concept was to produce a contemporary portfolio that was in keeping with how he originally envisioned the images when the negatives were created. The portfolio includes some of his most highly prized images. These are some of the most delicate and highly sensitive interpretations available as later prints.

This set of ten gelatin silver prints was printed in 1981 and released in 1982 as a portfolio by Orminda Corporation. The works were printed by Igor Bakht from Kertész’s original negatives which date from 1925 to 1939. Each work is signed in pencil on the Japanese paper on which the photograph is mounted. The Japanese paper measures 11 x1 4 inches and the print sizes vary. The original portfolio was released with a printed title, plate list and colophon bearing the edition number in a small folio white cloth folding box with gilt-lettered leather spine label. Please note this Lot does not include those items that the original portfolio was released with.

Although the colophon states that the portfolio was produced in a limited edition of 50 with 10 Artist’s Proofs, it is not clear if these numbers were realized as Kertész passed away while these portfolios were still being sold. Acquired directly from his Estate and editioned 20/50, this is one of the last complete sets available today.

A Letter of Authentication from the Estate of André Kertész is included with this Lot.

Please note: this work is unframed.

The Buyer is hereby advised to read fully the Terms and Conditions of Business and Catalogue Terms, including our Stephen Bulger Gallery HO2 Sale Notice and any Addendum or Erratum specific to the Stephen Bulger Gallery HO2 auction.

All prices are in Canadian Dollars

Although great care has been taken to ensure the accuracy of the information posted, errors and omissions may occur. All bids are subject to our Terms and Conditions of Business. Bidders must ensure they have satisfied themselves with the condition of the Lot prior to bidding. Condition reports are available upon request.