IRVING PENN | 'Picasso (B) Cannes'

platinum-palladium print, flush-mounted to aluminum, signed, initialed, titled, dated, editioned '25/47,' and annotated in pencil and stamped on the reverse, framed, 1957, printed in 1985

Christie's London, 31 May 2007, Sale 7393, Lot 25

Sarah Greenough, Irving Penn: Platinum Prints (Washington, D. C.: National Gallery of Art, 2005), pl. 37 Maria Morris Hambourg and Jeff Rosenheim, Irving Penn: Centennial (New York: Metropolitan Museum of Art, 2017), pl. 130

This platinum-palladium print, on Rives paper and mounted to aluminum, is in generally excellent condition. There are three tiny rust-colored deposits in the lower margin and at the extreme right margin edge. On the reverse of the mount, there is soiling from handling and there are several scattered rust-colored deposits. The following are written by the photographer in pencil on the reverse: 'Rives Paper on Aluminum / Platinum-palladium / Print made Feb 1985,' and '3272.' In addition to the photographer and the photographer's copyright stamps [annotated '184' and 'COURTESY OF VOGUE' in pencil], another stamps read as follows: 'In addition to 47* [in pencil] numbered prints of this image in platinum metals, unnumbered, but signed, silver prints not exceeding a total of 21 [in pencil] may exist,' 'Hand-coated by the photographer' and 'Deacidified.' A label reads as follows: '* Of the 47: / 34 prints of full image / 7 prints as a detail section / 6 prints as a detail section with lettering.'
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.

'A great presence, deeply aware of his own image, he peered silently at the reflection of his head in the camera's lens, occasionally altering the attitude.' – Irving Penn