Imogen Cunningham

mounted, signed and dated in pencil on the mount, the photographer's '1331 Green Street, San Francisco' studio label, with typed title and date, and a 'Photography Collection of the Polaroid Corporation' label, with typed title and date and accession information in ink, on the reverse, 1957, printed no later than 1960

Acquired from the photographer in February 1960 for the Library Collection

Other prints of this image:

Richard Lorenz, Imogen Cunningham: 1883-1976 (Köln: Taschen, 2001), p. 241

Richard Lorenz, Imogen Cunningham: Ideas without End, A Life in Photographs (San Francisco, 1993), pl. 104

Robert Doty, ed., Photography in America (New York, 1974), pp. 178-9

Drew Heath Johnson, Capturing Light: Masterpieces of California Photography, 1850 to the Present (Oakland Museum, 2001), pl. 142

This early print is in generally excellent condition. In raking light, a few small deposits of the photographer's original retouching are visible overall. There is very minor corner and edge chipping. On the mount, there is a fingerprint along the bottom edge and a few light fingerprints on the reverse.
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 photograph offered here, Imogen Cunningham's classic Unmade Bed, is one of the few demonstrably early prints of the image to have appeared at auction.  Taken in 1957, the present photograph was acquired by Ansel Adams for Polaroid's Library Collection in February 1960. 

Aside from certain portrait studies, the Unmade Bed was the most contemporary of Cunningham's work to be selected by Adams for Polaroid.   The Rubber Plant of 1930 (Lot 321) and the Frida Kahlo of 1931 (Lot 447) were already established icons in Cunningham's long career when Adams's selection was made.   As with his Callahan choices for the Collection—especially the Trees and Mist (Lot 74) and the Woman and Child (Cityscape) (Lot 75)—Adams selected this Cunningham image that, although recent when chosen, has proved over time to be among the photographer's most enduring.