Richard Avedon - Photographs New York Wednesday, April 1, 2009 | Phillips

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  • Provenance

    Gagosian, LA

  • Literature

    Abrams, Richard Avedon Portraits, n.p.

  • Artist Biography

    Richard Avedon

    American • 1923 - 2004

    From the inception of Richard Avedon's career, first at Harper's Bazaar and later at Vogue, Avedon challenged the norms for editorial photography. His fashion work gained recognition for its seemingly effortless and bursting energy, while his portraits were celebrated for their succinct eloquence. "I am always stimulated by people," Avedon has said, "almost never by ideas." 

    Indeed, as seen in his portraits — whether of famed movie stars or everyday people — the challenge for Avedon was conveying the essence of his subjects. His iconic images were usually taken on an 8 x 10 inch camera in his studio with a plain white background and strobe lighting, creating his signature minimalist style. Avedon viewed the making and production of photographs as a performance similar to literature and drama, creating portraits that are simultaneously intensely clear, yet deeply mysterious.

    View More Works

80

Groucho Marx, comedian, Beverly Hills, April 9, 1972

Gelatin silver print.
16 3/8 x 15 5/8 in. (41.6 x 39.7 cm).
Signed, numbered 11/50 in ink, copyright credit reproduction limitation, edition, title and date stamps on the verso.

Estimate
$7,000 - 9,000 

Sold for $8,750

Photographs

1 April 2009, 10am & 2pm
New York