Photographs Spanning the Centuries to Highlight Phillips’ Spring Auction in New York

Sale on 4 April to Feature Works by Cindy Sherman, Robert Mapplethorpe, Diane Arbus, Thomas Struth, Sohei Nishino, and More

NEW YORK – 16 MARCH 2023 – Phillips’ Photographs auction on 4 April gathers a remarkable selection of individual masterworks and esteemed private and institutional collections. On view at 432 Park Avenue from 28 March – 3 April, the sale brings together over 300 examples of the medium. Alongside the live auction is the second session of Dorothea Lange: The Family Collection, which includes a remarkable assemblage of 50 photographs come directly from the family of this pioneering American photographer. The upcoming sale is a continuation of Phillips’ first offering from the Family Collection, which took place in October 2022. Bidding for Part Two will be open from March 29 to April 5 and can be viewed here with further details here.

Sarah Krueger, Head of Department, said “Our April offerings showcase Phillips’ commitment to presenting the best photographs from the 19th, 20th, and 21st centuries. We look forward to welcoming collectors to our state-of-the-art galleries for the viewing, and to the auction room on sale day, to see and compete in person for this wonderful material.”

Senior International Specialist Chris Mahoney, notes, “We are honored to present work from a number of fine personal collections, including curator and photographic historian Peter C. Bunnell, gallerists and collectors Rosa and Aaron Esman, and the legendary curator Pierre Apraxine. Each of these offerings adds an incredible depth and richness to our spring sale.”

Leading the sale is Robert Mapplethorpe’s Man in Polyester Suit, an image that has inspired both acclaim and controversy since it was made in 1980. The photo encapsulates Mapplethorpe’s unique talent to present a subject matter that is both confrontational in content while being technically and aesthetically perfect. This level of technical perfection is also a feature of Irving Penn’s Harlequin Dress (Lisa Fonssagrives-Penn), a multiple coated platinum-palladium print that demonstrates Penn’s incomparable abilities as a photographer of couture and as a printer of exceptional ability.

Making their first appearance at auction this April are ten exquisite landscapes by Harry Callahan from 1963 after having been in the same collection since 1983. They hung in The Museum of Modern Art, New York exhibition The Photographer and the American Landscape, the first show organized by esteemed curator John Szarkowski. This particular suite of Harry Callahan photographs is an early tour-de-force presentation of the photographer’s best landscape work due to its exhibition history, provenance, and that the group has remained intact since its creation.

Further details regarding the sale can be read here.

Phillips

Phillips is the destination for international collectors to buy and sell the world’s most important twentieth-century and contemporary works of art, design, jewels, watches, photographs and editions. By focusing specifically on the defining aesthetic movements of the last century, we have set ourselves apart as the most dynamic and forward-thinking auction house in the world. Our global presence, seasoned expertise and individualized client service lead collectors to seek our guidance on market trends and insights. The Phillips team is comprised of specialists from auction houses, museums, galleries and other leading arts institutions. In addition to conducting auctions in our New York, London, Hong Kong and Geneva salerooms, we hold private sales and curated selling exhibitions around the world. Outside of the opportunities we provide to consign or buy through auctions and private sales, we consult with museums, advise private estates and corporate clients and offer appraisals, valuations and other financial services.