large-format ferrotyped print, flush-mounted to Crescent illustration board, credit and numerical notations on the reverse, framed, circa 1935, printed no later than 1951

Acquired from Charles Rado, founder of Rapho Guillumette, circa 1969

New York, The Museum of Modern Art, Five French Photographers, December 1951 – February 1952 (likely this print)

Edward Steichen, 'Four French Photographers,' U. S. Camera, 1953, p. 22 (likely this print)

Alain Sayag and Annick Lionel-Marie, eds., Brassaï: The Monograph (Boston, 2000), p. 275

This large, early, ferrotyped exhibition print is flush-mounted to thick Crescent illustration board. It is in generally very good condition. Its fine condition is remarkable given its size and the number of hands it likely passed through before and after exhibition. As is typical of the ferrotyping process, pitting and an unevenness of the glossy surface are visible. The following are also visible in raking light: occasional small creases from handling that occurred prior to mounting; a few small impressions that do not break the emulsion; and long surface scratches, some of which may break the emulsion but are not noticeable or distracting when viewing the print from a normal distance. The print is trimmed to the image. There is wear along the edges and corners, and there is a small loss to the tip of the lower right corner of the print. Small losses along the lower edge of the print have been in-painted with black ink applied to the underlying mount. On the reverse of the mount are the following notations in an unidentified hand in pencil: 'Brassai'; 'PK-1-16'; '#24'; 'PL872'; and '17' [circled].
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.
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The present photograph, and that in the following lot, are believed to have been shown in The Museum of Modern Art’s exhibition, Five French Photographers in late 1951 and early 1952.  Brassaï and Cartier-Bresson, both of whom had previously exhibited at MoMA, suggested to curator Edward Steichen the inclusion of works by Doisneau, Ronis, and Izis.  Charles Rado, owner of the photo agency Rapho-Guillumette, represented all of the photographers except Cartier-Bresson, and he oversaw shipping logistics and publishing permissions.  

Subsequently, 53 pages of photographs from the exhibition were featured in the 1953 U. S. Camera Annual under the𓆏 title ‘Four French Photographers’ (Cartier-Bresson was not included).  The selection was introduced by Steichen, and included the two images offered here.