BOB SEIDEMANN | Selected Images from Unspeakable Beauty

a group of 46 photographs, each signed in pencil and with the photographer's copyright stamp, all but 2 dated in pencil, and 12 titled in pencil on the reverse, 1993-2001 (46)

The photographer to Bruce Bard, San Francisco

This group of 46 photographs is in overall excellent condition. The whole is housed in a black clamshell box. The photographs are as follows: 'Kaliana,' 7/25/93 'Morgan with tracks,' 7/25/93 'Sabrina and Nation,' 11/1/93 'Neil with Sword,' 11/1/93 'Florice and Neil,' 11/1/93 'Adena with gears,' 7/25/93 'Bill w/ mask,' undated 'Angela,' 8/20/93 'Nation,' 8/20/93 'Karen w/ Mask,' 8/20/93 'Liza,' 8/29/93 'self portrait 6-15-96' 'negative 4-18-01,' (Bound nude facing rock), 4-24-01 (Nude bound upside down with legs wide), 12-26-95 (Nude male with cape and sword), 1-1-98 (Nude on cross with group surrounding), 12-6-97 (Nude suspended upside down with slash marks), 2-10-97 (Nude on cross with caped figure and skeleton), 7-3-96 (Urinating nude on cross with caped figure and skeleton), 10-26-96 (Pregnant nude with owl), 6-17-99 (Male nude on cross with starry background), 12-5-96 (Woman standing in coffin with skeleton on cross), 12-5-96 (Corseted woman holding battle axe), 12-5-96 (Nude male amputee on cross), 7-19-96 (Nude bound diagonally to cinder blocks), 11-7-95 (Nude suspended upside down over wagon wheel), 11-5-95 (Woman holding skeleton and syringe), 5-28-95 (Dominatrix corset and skirt), 2-9-95 (Nude in chains with palm shadows), 12-26-95 (Partial nude on cross), 6-19-96 (Nude with chains on clouded background), 3-23-96 (Chained male nude on throne), 1-31-96 (Nude in chain mail mask seated on throne with male nude below), 1-31-96 (Nude in chain mail mask seated on throne), 2-2-96 (Nude in blonde wig bound to cinder blocks), 2-10-97 (Male nude in coffin), 10-23-97 (Nude suspended facing fake male torso), 2-10-97 (Dominatrix with metal claws), 1-29-95 (Woman on throne with standing male holding spear), 11-30-94 (Woman on throne holding spear), 1-12-95 (Corseted male holding sword next to bull head), 11-30-94 (Scene in window, woman and man), 12-6-93 (Male standing over female on grill), 2-21-94 (Woman with whip in frame, recto), 11-5-95 (Corseted woman in frame, verso), 2-10-97 (Dominatrix with riding crop and seated man in background), undated
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.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

In the 1960s, photographer Bob Seidemann created iconic images of the popular revolutionary culture, including nudes of Janis Joplin and the controversial album cover for Eric Clapton’s recording Blind Faith (1969). His monumental aviation series The Airplane As Art (1986-97), first sold in these rooms on 12 October 2000 (Sale 7518, Lot 292).  In the 1990s, by way of a friend, Seidemann, looking for an interesting project to photograph, was introduced to the world of BDSM.  It was after this introduction that he created the present series, Unspeakable Beauty. Seidemann attended 'scenes' and with consent and participation from members of the BDSM community, he recreated the environment of roleplaying and bondage in his studio.  Of the series, Seidemann wrote, ‘This work explores the psychosexual undercurrents in society during the last decade of the twentieth century using a particular vocabulary of imagery seen in American popular culture.’  Although Seidemann produced editioned prints from Unspeakable Beauty, the series was never officially marketed during his lifetime. 

The 46 prints offered here represent the first time a significant group of photographs from this remarkable series have been offered at auction. They come from the collection of the late Bruce Bard, a California-based patron of artists.