Lot 111
- 111
Man Ray
Estimate
25,000 - 35,000 EUR
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Description
- Man Ray
- Ostrich Egg, 1944
- Silver print. Annotated Juliet Studio in pencil in an unknown hand on the reverse.
- photograph
- 25 by 20 cm, 9 ¾ by 7 7/8 in.
Ostrich Egg, 1944
Silver gelatin print
9 3/4 x 7 13/16
Estimate: €30,000 - 50,000
Silver gelatin print
9 3/4 x 7 13/16
Estimate: €30,000 - 50,000
Literature
Francfort & Bâle, 1979-80, p. 156
Paris, 1981, p. 156 (variante)
Tokyo, 1990-91, vol. 1, p. 121
Anvers, 1994, fig. 71
Man Ray, 2009, p. 113 (ce tirage)
Lugano, 2011, p. 124 (variante)
Brühl, 2013, ill. p. 144 (variante)
Paris, 1981, p. 156 (variante)
Tokyo, 1990-91, vol. 1, p. 121
Anvers, 1994, fig. 71
Man Ray, 2009, p. 113 (ce tirage)
Lugano, 2011, p. 124 (variante)
Brühl, 2013, ill. p. 144 (variante)
Condition
This print is in excellent general condition. The corners are slightly worn and with a few very light spots of retouching visible in raking light only.
"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. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."
"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. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."
Catalogue Note
Man Ray returned to the motif of the ostrich egg several times during his career. He was fascinated by nature’s ability to create a symmetrical form, one that could naturally metamorphose itself by breakage or the hatching of a bird. The present photograph is one of two known variants made in 1944 that emphasise the egg’s intriguing pitted surface, which when viewed in close up could resemble the surface of the moon, or even an everyday object: “The portrayal of a dinosaur or ostrich egg can open a new field for investigation; to one unfamiliar with such an egg, the texture could lead to some confusion, and the object could be taken for an orange or a large pebble.” (Man Ray, “Photography in Reverse”, manuscript, Fonds Man Ray, Centre Pompidou, Paris).