George Hurrell

mounted, signed, dated '1937,' and titled in ink and with the photographer's name stamp on the reverse, circa 1939

This striking, early portrait of Charis Wilson is in generally good to very good condition. Faint silvering is visible overall. Upon close examination, a few tiny deposits of original retouching are visible. Visible in raking light is a 1/2-inch crescent-shaped crease extending from the edge of the image in the upper right quadrant. This crease does not break the emulsion, and it likely occurred prior to or as a result of dry-mounting. The photographer has dated this print 1937; however, the date of the New Yorker magazine on the table is dated 1939.
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.

Edward and Charis Weston may have first met Hollywood photographer George Hurrell when they lived in Santa Monica, California, in the 1930s.  The famous photographer-to-the-stars praised Edward Weston's work and even arranged to go on a 'shooting expedition' with him in 1936.  Conger relates that in the spring of 1937, Hurrell visited Weston to ask for his advice (cf. Conger 1030).  'I admired his work,' Hurrell noted, 'and I still do think that he's the only great artist in the history of photography.  He was a purist.  He was a technician.  You name it and he was it' (quoted in Mark A. Vieira's Hurrell's Hollywood Portraits, p. 109).   A double portrait of Edward and Charis by Hurrell is reproduced in Hurrell Hollywood: Photographs 1928 – 1990, plate 46.