Edward Steichen

platinum print, signed and dated 'MDCCCCIX' in the negative, on a modern thin paper flush-mount, 1909, possibly printed later

The photographer to Edward Gordon Craig

By descent 

Sotheby's London, 4 May 2000, Sale 0511, Lot 224

This platinum print, on a modern paper flush-mount, is in generally very good condition. Scattered faint, tiny white dots, possibly deposits or an inherent quality of the paper, are visible overall but primarily on the right side of the image. There are several long lines, the most prominent of which run vertically down the sitter's cheek, horizontally across the lower portion of the image, and two in his hair and forehead; these are probably in the negative, and may have been retouched. There is a significant amount of expertly applied retouching throughout the print that may have been applied when the photograph was laid down on its modern paper mount. Some of this retouching has unevenly faded. There are several tears at the edges and corners that have been expertly stabilized and retouched. The print and mount are trimmed unevenly. Due to the soft, pictorialist sensibility of the image, the aforementioned issues do not detract from or diminish the appearance of the photograph. When examined under ultraviolet light, this print does not appear to fluoresce.
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 multi-talented Edward Gordon Craig (1872-1966), son of English stage actress Dame Alice Ellen Terry, was an actor, woodcutter, set designer, producer, and author of numerous publications on theater.  Craig met dancer Isadora Duncan in 1904 and they became lovers.  Their daughter Deirdre tragically died in an accident when she was just seven. 

A slightly wider cropping of the present image illustrated a 1928 edition of Duncan’s autobiography, My Life.  There is a gum bichromate over platinum print of the full negative, measuring 19 by 14 1/8 inches, in the Alfred Stieglitz Collection at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.