Lee Miller

the photographer's '12, Rue Victor / Considérant / Paris XIV' studio stamp on the reverse, circa 1930-34

The Julien Levy Collection, purchased from Jean Farley Levy for the Museum by Lynne and Harold Honickman, 2001

This photograph, on double-weight paper with a surface sheen, is in generally excellent condition. In raking light, silvering is visible at the print's periphery, as are occasional tiny impressions and a hairline scratch that do not break the emulsion. Deposits of the photographer's original retouching are visible overall. The print is trimmed to the image. The corners are bumped, and the emulsion is folded back at the tip of the upper right corner. On the reverse of the print, '3.' and '2001-62-801' (crossed out) are written in an unidentified hand in pencil.
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 Neo-Romantic artist Eugene Berman (1899 – 1972) was represented by the Julien Levy Gallery and featured in multiple exhibitions there for over a decade, from the 1930s through the 1940s.  Berman was a personal favorite of Levy, who published a monograph on the artist and his work in 1947.   

Lee Miller’s only solo exhibition in New York in her lifetime was held at the Levy Gallery in 1932.  She contributed a photograph of Berman to the Levy Gallery’s 1932 Exhibition of Portrait Photography, Old and New.