Walter Peterhans

signed by the photographer in pencil in the margin, signed and inscribed 'Bauhaus Dessau' by him in pencil on the reverse, matted, circa 1929-32

Sotheby's New York, 5 October 1994, Sale 6599, Lot 41

Acquired by the present owner from the above

This early print, on matte-surface double-weight paper with a warm tonality, is in generally excellent condition.
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.

The founder of the photography course at the Bauhaus in 1929, Walter Peterhans created a series of carefully-arranged still life compositions that illustrated his ideas about photography.  The print offered here is an example of this experimental work, which combined natural and artificial elements of varying texture and translucence in order to explore the tonal gradations that photography was capable of producing.  Peterhans was represented at Film und Foto in 1929 with several of these compositions.  With the closing of the Bauhaus in 1933, Peterhans moved to Chicago, where he joined Mies van der Rohe at the Illinois Institute of Technology.