Masterworks shine in Swann photographs auction June 11

fine photographs

Robert Mapplethorpe, ‘Lisa Lyon,’ oversize silver print, one of an edition of one, 1980. Estimate $30,000-$40,000. Swann Galleries image

NEW YORK – On Thursday, June 11, Swann Galleries will hold a sale of fine photographs that features 20 century masterworks, landscapes, feminist and Latin American photographers, as well as pop photographica. Bid absentee or live online through LiveAuctioneers.

Leading the sale is Robert Mapplethorpe’s oversize study Lisa Lyon, silver print, 1980 (above). The work is one from an edition of one and is a key image from the series on which Mapplethorpe and Lyon collaborated. The image is expected to bring $30,000 to $45,000. Also by Mapplethorpe is Self-Portrait with Whip, from the X Portfolio, silver print, 1978, estimated at $10,000 to $15,000.

Additional 20th century masterworks include Michael Halsband’s iconic 1985 silver print, Andy Warhol and Jean-Michel Basquiat, a portrait of the two artists in boxing attire (below; $20,000-$30,000). Malick Sidibé’s, A suite of 7 chemises made at various Bamako, Mali celebrations, clubs and happenings, 1969-70, shows a range of intimate portraits of emerging Malinese youth culture ($15,000-$25,000). A scarce copy of Lee Friedlander’s The American Monument, a deluxe edition in two volumes, with 10 original photographs published by the Eakins Press Foundation in 1976 is expected to bring $25,000 to $35,000.

fine photographs

Michael Halsband (1956- ), ‘Andy Warhol and Jean-Michel Basquiat,’ silver print, 1985, printed 1997. Estimate: $20,000-$30,000. Swann Galleries image

A strong showing of photographs by leading women in the field include Sandy Skoglund with Gathering Paradise, Cibachrome print, 1991 (below; $15,000-$25,000); Diane Arbus’ Petal Pink for Little Parties, 1962, printed by Neil Selkirk in 1985, comes from the collection of Gwendolen Cates ($7,000-$10,000); Lillian Bassman’s Next to Nothing, silver print, 1948, printed 1990s, a reproduced fashion study ($4,000-$6,000); Magnolia Bud, silver print, 1920, printed 1950s, an elegant abstraction by Imogen Cunningham ($10,000-$15,000). Also of note are works by Nan Goldin, Barbara Kasten, Sally Mann and Ruth Orkin.

fine photographs

Sandy Skoglund, ‘Gathering Paradise,’ Cibachrome print, 1991. Estimate $15,000-$25,000. Swann Galleries image

A run of works by Robert Frank features Daytona Beach, Florida, silver print (below), 1958, printed 1980s, set to come across the block at $14,000 to $18,000. The image forged a new visual style that combines documentary photography with a snapshot aesthetic. Also of note by Frank is Chicago Convention, silver print, 1956, printed 1977 ($10,000-$15,000), and Playa del Rey, Wendover, Mabou, Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter, silver print, 1978-79 ($8,000-$12,000).

fine photographs

Robert Frank (1924-2019), ‘Daytona Beach, Florida,’ silver print, 1958; printed 1980s. Estimate: $14,000-$18,000. Swann Galleries image

Ansel Adams’s nocturnal image Aspens, Northern New Mexico, silver print, 1958, printed 1978, is present at $14,000 to $18,000. Also from Group f/64 is Edward Weston with Dunes, Oceano, silver print, 1936 ($20,000-$30,000) and Eroded Rock, silver print, circa 1930 ($12,000-$18,000). Contemporary images of landscapes feature Richard Misrach’s Stonehenge #4, a split-toned silver print, 1976 ($12,000-$14,000), and Christopher Williams’s Punta Hicacos Varadero, Cuba, chromogenic print, 2000 ($15,000-$25,000).

fine photographs

Ansel Adams (1902-1984), ‘Aspens, Northern New Mexico,’ silver print, 1958, printed 1978. Estimate: $14,000-$18,000. Swann Galleries image

A superb selection of images by Latin American photographers includes Graciela Iturbide with Magnolia, silver print, 1986 ($6,000-$9,000); Flor Garduño’s Arbol de los Cuervos, Mexico, silver print, 2017 ($4,000-$6,000); Manuel Álvarez Bravo’s Retrato de lo Eterno, silver print, 1935, printed 1970s ($4,000-$6,000); and a group of eight late 1920s-30s silver prints by Martin Chambi ($6,000-$9,000).

Vernacular photography features pop photographica with a circa 1880s-90s unique wood-frame mirror with 22 tintype portraits and three additional photo-pictorial objects ($1,000-$1,500) and a circa-1900 freestanding, fold-out silkscreen with six panels depicting Japanese women and scenery, including Mount Fuji ($300-$450).

For details contact Swann’s specialist Daile Kaplan at dkaplan@swanngalleries.com or 212-254-4710 ext. 21.

View top auction results on LiveAuctioneers here: https://www.liveauctioneers.com/pages/recent-auction-sales/