Press | Phillips

Phillips’ Photography Sale Realizes $5.6 Million

Strong International Interest Continues for Masters of the Medium with

Ansel Adams, Robert Frank, and Peter Beard Leading the Auction

Reframing Beauty Captures the Attention of Collectors Across Categories, Setting a New Record for Peter Hujar

Additional New Records Set for Deana Lawson, Ori Gersht, and

Paul Mpagi Sepuya

New York, 7 October 2021

Sale Total: $5,612,292 / £4,121,106 / €4,858,000

Lots Sold: 241 | Lots Offered: 311

Sold by Lot: 77% | Sold by Value: 81%

Sarah Krueger, Head of Photographs, New York, said, “It was wonderful to welcome bidders back into the saleroom for our Photographs auctions, and to see increasing numbers of bidders from over 40 countries participating by phone, online, and on our app. Twentieth-century American masters led the auction at our new 432 Park Avenue headquarters, with Ansel Adams, Peter Beard, and Robert Frank all figuring prominently in the Top Ten. Collectors also competed for important works from the Düsseldorf School of Photography, with Bernd and Hilla Becher’s Water Towers achieving $138,600 against its estimate of $50,000-70,000 and Thomas Ruff’s Sterne, 17h 51m /-22° realizing $113,400. We now look forward to our November sale in London, which includes a special section of works that are being sold to benefit the Ian Parry Scholarship.”

Caroline Deck, Senior Specialist, Photographs, added, “Reframing Beauty was an exceptional collection of images, all of which address many social issues of our time, from deforestation and climate change to LGBTQ+ rights. It was an honor to be entrusted with these rare and important works from a prominent private Seattle collector, and gratifying to see such strong participation from collectors of Photography and Contemporary Art alike. We were especially delighted to set a new record for Peter Hujar with David Wojnarowicz Reclining (II) which soared to $157,500.”

Top Ten Lots

Lot	Description	Estimate	Price Achieved
129	Ansel Adams, The Tetons and the Snake River, Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming, 1942	$100,000 - 150,000	$289,800 £212,800/€250,851
223	Peter Beard, Prometheus figure with vultures feeding . . . Bacon Studio @ 7 Reece Mews, London SW7, 1976	$120,000 - 180,000	$207,900 £152,661/€179,958
139	Robert Frank, U.S. 285, New Mexico, 1956	$80,000 - 120,000	$201,600 £148,035/€174,505
255	Vik Muniz, Three Flags, after Jasper Johns from Pictures of Magazines 2, 2014	$50,000 - 70,000	$163,800 £120,278/€141,785
26	Peter Hujar, David Wojnarowicz Reclining (II), 1981	$40,000 - 60,000	$157,500 £115,652/€136,332
243	Bernd and Hilla Becher, Water Towers, 1963-1980	$50,000 - 70,000	$138,600 £101,774/€119,972
146	Robert Frank, View from Hotel Window -- Butte, Montana, 1956	$60,000 - 80,000	$126,000 £92,522/€109,066
163	Diane Arbus, Patriotic Young Man with a Flag, N.Y.C., 1967	$50,000 - 70,000	$113,400 £83,270/€98,159
247	Thomas Ruff, Sterne, 17h 51m /-22°, 1990	$50,000 - 70,000	$113,400 £83,270/€98,159
239	Ori Gersht, Untitled 5 from Blow Up, 2007	$25,000 - 35,000	$107,100 £78,644/€92,706

New Auction Records

Lot	Description	Estimate	Price Achieved
227	Peter Hujar, David Wojnarowicz Reclining (II), 1981	$40,000 - 60,000	$157,500 £115,652/€136,332
	*previous record price: $106,250 set in 2019
227	Deana Lawson, Ring Bearer, 2016	$25,000 - 35,000	$30,240 £22,205/€26,176
	*previous record price: $12,000 set in 2017
230	Paul Mpagi Sepuya, Self-Portrait Study with Two Figures (1506), 2015	$8,000 - 12,000	$13,860 £10,177/€11,997
	*previous record price: $12,600 set in 2021
239	Ori Gersht, Untitled 5 from Blow Up, 2007	$25,000 - 35,000	$107,100 £78,644/€92,706
	*previous record price: $57,000 set in 2013

ABOUT PHILLIPS

Phillips is a leading global platform for buying and selling 20th and 21st century art and design. With dedicated expertise in the areas of 20th Century and Contemporary Art, Design, Photographs, Editions, Watches, and Jewelry, Phillips offers professional services and advice on all aspects of collecting. Auctions and exhibitions are held at salerooms in New York, London, Geneva, and Hong Kong, while clients are further served through representative offices based throughout Europe, the United States and Asia. Phillips also offers an online auction platform accessible anywhere in the world. In addition to providing selling and buying opportunities through auction, Phillips brokers private sales and offers assistance with appraisals, valuations, and other financial services.

Visit www.phillips.com for further information.

*Estimates do not include buyer’s premium. Prices Achieved include the buyer's premium and are reported net of applicable fees.

Phillips is not responsible for typographical errors or omissions.

PRESS CONTACTS:

NEW YORK – Magda Grigorian, Chief Communications Officer mgrigorian@phillips.com +1 212 940 1384

NEW YORK – Jaime Israni, Public Relations Director, Americas jisrani@phillips.com +1 212 940 1398

PHILLIPS NEW YORK - 432 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10022

VISIT US AT: www.phillips.com

07 October 2021

Phillips’ Photography Sale Realizes $5.6 Million