Black and white silver print photograph (photo: 11 x 13 3/4 in.; 280 x 350 mm, with mat: 16 x 20 in.; 406 x 508 mm). Mounted on board, matted, signed by Einstein ("A. Einstein. 51") in black ink in the lower margin of the mat; one or two small chips to mat, minor toning to edges of photo. 

A photographic masterwork —  a superb and striking portrait of Einstein deep in thought. Apparently a unique large format copy. Taken at a 1942 photo session, the present image offers a detailed view of Einstein in semi profile.  The 1942 session was a causal affair undertaken at Einstein’s Princeton home, where Vishniac discreetly took candid photos of the physicist. This image was originally taken within a fuller context (to include a more prominent background and greater view of Einstein's body), but Vishniac has here masterfully edited it to show only Einstein’s face in more immediate perspective. It is almost certainly the unique copy of this edited image. 

Later in life Vishniac released a portfolio of some seven images from this 1942 session—entitled “Einstein at Work”—which were printed and sold privately by Vishniac himself.  An unedited copy of  the same image was among the photos included in Vishniac’s 1970-80s portfolio “Einstein at Work.” The prints in this portfolio measured 10-1/4” x 13-1/4” (image size), and the present photograph is accordingly of an especially large and unique format.

ONE OF THE FINEST PHOTOGRAPHIC PORTRAITS OF EINSTEIN EVER TAKEN – HERE MASTERFULLY EDITED AND PRINTED IN A RARE LARGE FORMAT -- WITH EINSTEIN SIGNATURE PRESENT