large-format ferrotyped print, flush-mounted, framed, circa 1932, 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. 18 (likely this print)

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

This large, early, ferrotyped exhibition print is flush-mounted to thin 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: impressions of the number '14' written on the reverse in the upper right quadrant; occasional small impressions that do not break the emulsion; and pervasive surface scratches, which do not appear to break the emulsion and are not distracting when viewing the print from a normal distance. The print is trimmed to the image. There is minor wear along the edges and corners. On the reverse of the mount are the following notations in an unidentified hand in pencil: 'Brassai'; 'No. 14'; and '276.63.' When examined under ultraviolet light, this print does not appear to fluoresce.
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