On April 5, Sotheby’s will offer a group of 78 photographs by Nickolas Muray, many of which have never before been published. These early prints feature both posed and candid portraits of the socialites, politicians, composers, and writers closely associated with artists Miguel Covarrubias, Frida Kahlo, and Diego Rivera. Notable sitters include Carl van Vechten; composer Carlos Chavez; Alfa Ríos Henestrosa; illustrator John Held, Jr.; social realist artist Marian Greenwood; muralist Roberto Montenegro; actress Margo Albert; painter and writer Mai-Mai Sze; and Cristina Kahlo, Frida’s sister. These 78 photographs represent the most significant offering of work by Muray to appear at auction to date, and provide fascinating insight into the cultural landscape of Mexico in the 1920s, 30s, and 40s.
