Charles Sheeler

warm-toned, The Museum of Modern Art 1939 'Charles Sheeler Retrospective Exhibition' stamp and typed credit label reading 'Chartres Cathedral, 1929, original photograph by Charles Sheeler, Lent by the artist' on the reverse, framed, 1929, printed no later than 1939 (Stebbins and Keyes, pl. 68)

Private Collection, New York

Edwynn Houk Gallery, New York

Irving Galleries, Palm Beach, 1999

It is not known if this photograph was used for promotion of the 1939 show, although this seems likely. If so, however, this would not be considered a 'press print' in the way we use that term today. As we stated in our introduction to 'Photographs from The Museum of Modern Art,' the catalogue for our April 2001 auction, in which several publicity or promotional prints were offered: 'From the 1930s to the 1950s, it was not uncommon for photographers to provide The Museum of Modern Art with more than one print of photographs selected for an exhibition. The first print was intended for the exhibition itself, the other—or occasionally, two or three others—were to be made available to the press, for publicity for the exhibition. The practice arose because it was easier and cheaper for the photographer to make one, or a few, extra prints, than for the Museum to make a copy negative and a copy print.' This warm-toned photograph, on double-weight paper with a nearly matte surface, is in generally excellent condition. Upon very close examination, the following are barely visible: a small soft crease in the lower left quadrant; a deposit of retouching in the upper-central portion of the image; and a very small soft crease near the left edge, with 2 tiny attendant losses of emulsion. The margins are somewhat darkened and lightly soiled. The margin corners are bumped with the top paper-ply folding back at the tips. The reverse of the print is soiled, and there are rust-colored liquid deposits near the upper edge and on the typed credit label. Also on the reverse are two linen tape hinge remnants along the upper edge.
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 was used in conjunction with Sheeler’s exhibition at The Museum of Modern Art in 1939, his first major museum show.  Comprised of paintings, drawings, and photographs, the exhibition included 14 photographs of Chartres.   These studies had been made in 1929, when Sheeler was in Europe for Stuttgart’s Film und Foto exhibition, where photographs from his River Rouge series were featured.

In his introduction to the 1939 catalogue, Sheeler wrote, ‘My interest in photography, paralleling that in painting, has been based on admiration for its possibility of accounting for the visual world with an exactitude not equaled by any other medium.’