17th May 2018 | Daniel Heikens
In our Expert’s Choice feature, one of our in-house experts shares their favourite items in auction. This week our photography expert, Daniel Heikens, selects five photographs from our Exclusive Art Photography auction (10th - 19th May) that you don’t want to miss.
Daniel's top 5 selection of the auction
- 1. Ansel Adams (1902-1984) - Lake Tenaya ca 1946
- Signed gelatin-silver print, printed later
Interesting fact: In 2010 'Clearing Winter Storm, Yosemite National Park' by Ansel Adams (1902-1984) was sold for a record price of € 583,202 including buyers premium. Making Ansel Adams one of the top selling photographers at auction.
As one of the most influential photographers of all time I am happy to have an original signed photo by Ansel Adams in auction. This photo comes from a special edition of prints of Yosemite, made between 1958 and 1972. Ansel Adams is also one of the greatest landscape photographers of all time making this signed print is a must have!
- 2. 'Jim, Sausolito' by Robert Mapplethorpe (1946-1989)
- Signed gelatin-silver print, 1977 printed later
Robbert Mapplethorpe (1946-1989) needs little introduction as he has been a key photographer from the 70s and 80s of the 20th century, in the young history of photography. He is known for his still lifes and male nudes, sometimes focussing on the explicit erotic gay scene in some of his photos. This signed photo of ‘Jim, Sausolito’ in auction from the X portfolio. Published jointly by Harry Lunn, Washington DC and Robert Miller, New York in 1978 illustrates the above nicely.
- 3. 'Maske, Nuba series 1965-1974' by Leni Riefenstahl (1902-2003)
- Dye transfer print, printed later
Besides being an actress and photographer most people will know Leni Riefenstahl (1902-2003) for shooting propaganda film for the Third Reich’s regime in the 1930s. This, off course, gave her a controversial reputation. Her photographs of the Sudanese Nuba tribe helped her resurrect her career in the 1960s, of which we have two very high-quality limited-edition prints in auction. ‘Dye Transfer process’ prints are seen as one of the highest quality photographic prints available. Sublime in their tonal scale and colour these prints also ‘last forever’ and are very stable.
- 4. 'Io non ho mani che mi accarezzino il volto', 1963 by Mario Giacomelli (1925-2000)
- Signed gelatin-silver print, 1990
Self-taught photographer Mario Giacomelli (1925-2000) is one of Italy’s most appreciated photographers. The photo offered in this auction comes, in my eyes, from his best series of work; 'Io non ho mani che mi accarezzino il volto' and the photo is being sold by the estate of Giacomelli directly.
The work by Giacomelli can be found in the collections of the George Eastman Museum, the SFMoMa and the Castello di Rivoli in Turin amongst others.
- 5. 'Grapes, 1981' by Andy Warhol (1928-1987)
- Polaroid, 1981
Would you think that acquiring a original and unique piece of art by Andy Warhol (1928-1987) would send you into bankruptcy? Think again...this original polaroid by Andy Warhol could be yours for under €2000. It comes with a fine, document provenance.
Andy Warhol’s photography work can be found in many collections of which the Smithsonian American Art Museum, the Museum of Contemporary Photography Chicago and the J. Paul Getty Museum are only a very few.
Daniel Heikens, our in-house art photography expert
Inspired by Daniel’s selection? Visit our weekly Art Photography auctions to find more exceptional photographs.
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