Four Decades: In Celebration of AIPAD
Four Decades: In Celebration of AIPAD
Keith de Lellis Gallery, New York
Flip Schulke
Ali Underwater
Lot Closed
December 21, 05:08 PM GMT
Estimate
10,000 - 15,000 USD
Lot Details
Description
Keith de Lellis Gallery, New York
Flip Schulke
1930 - 2008
Ali Underwater
mural-sized gelatin silver print, mounted, framed, 1961, printed posthumously, no. 54 from an edition of 99; accompanied by a Flip Schulke Archives label, signed and editioned '54 of 99' in pencil by Gary Truman, the photographer's archive manager, and Donna Schulke, the photographer's widow
image: 59 ½ by 39 ¾ in. (151.1 by 101 cm.)
frame: 60 ¾ by 41 in. (154.3 by 104.1 cm.)
“I discovered Flip Schulke and his photographs about 25 years ago. He was a prominent photojournalist with an archive of some of the greatest American mid-century pictures of historic people and events. He was fortunate to meet and photograph Ali (then known as Cassius Clay) at the beginning of his career as a world class boxer. At the time, Flip was already making some great pictures including some underwater shots of water skiers, very beautiful images from that vantage point, and these were featured in Sports Illustrated around 1960. Ali was aware of these images and told Flip that he, Ali, practiced boxing underwater and that the resistance from punching water made him a stronger boxer. Flip, believing the fabricated story, arranged for a shoot at a Miami motel swimming pool and the rest is history. I never tire of this picture; I still gasp a little when I see the quality of a freshly unrolled 60x40 inch print.” – Keith de Lellis
Keith de Lellis Gallery specializes in photographs by American and European artists of the 20th century, with a particular focus on vintage Italian photography, fashion, industrial, and the New York School.