Elliott Erwitt is an icon of contemporary photography. The 'California Kiss' photograph from 1955 is one of the most famous works of this master recorder of intimate moments. 'It is important to be unobtrusive - after all, you do not want to destroy a special situation,' explained Erwitt. He was born in Paris, in 1928, in a family of Russian immigrants. He was raised in Milan. In 1939, the whole family emigrated through France to the United States of America. As a teenager, Erwitt lived in Hollywood. It was then that he became interested in photography. He initially worked in a photographic laboratory. Later he studied in the Los Angeles City College. In 1948, he moved to the City of New York. Since 1952, he has been cooperating, as an independent photographer, with the 'Collier's', 'Look', and 'Life and Holiday' magazines. Since 1953, he has been a member of the Magnum Photos agency. For many years, he was also its president. In his work, he pays the most attention to people. He is considered to be one of the greatest representatives of the humanist photography movement. He has taken many photographs of the great people of the 20th century - artists and politicians. Apart from people, he likes photographing cities. In the 'Snaps' series of photographs from New York City, Paris, or Rome, we can see Erwitt's perfect use of the 'decisive moment'. The photographer has also achieved mastery in framing which he describes as 'simply the putting together of all elements in a rectangular frame'. In many Erwitt's photographs we can also see dogs, another favourite subject of his. 'Dogs are very similar to people; they just have more hair. But they do not complain and do not ask you for money.' He has published over 20 albums.
ADDITIONAL CHARGE DETAILS:
In addition to the hammer price, the successful bidder agrees to pay us a buyer's premium on the hammer price of each lot sold. On all lots we charge 18 % of the hammer price.
- To this lot we apply 'artist's resale right' ('droit de suite') fee. Royalties are calculated using a sliding scale of percentages of the hammer price.
gelatin silver print on Baryta paper, 45 x 30 cm
signed lower right: 'Elliott Erwitt'
EXHIBITED:
- Elliott Erwitt, Personal best for Leica, Leica Gallery, Warsaw, 2013
Elliott Erwitt is an icon of contemporary photography. The 'California Kiss' photograph from 1955 is one of the most famous works of this master recorder of intimate moments. 'It is important to be unobtrusive - after all, you do not want to destroy a special situation,' explained Erwitt. He was born in Paris, in 1928, in a family of Russian immigrants. He was raised in Milan. In 1939, the whole family emigrated through France to the United States of America. As a teenager, Erwitt lived in Hollywood. It was then that he became interested in photography. He initially worked in a photographic laboratory. Later he studied in the Los Angeles City College. In 1948, he moved to the City of New York. Since 1952, he has been cooperating, as an independent photographer, with the 'Collier's', 'Look', and 'Life and Holiday' magazines. Since 1953, he has been a member of the Magnum Photos agency. For many years, he was also its president. In his work, he pays the most attention to people. He is considered to be one of the greatest representatives of the humanist photography movement. He has taken many photographs of the great people of the 20th century - artists and politicians. Apart from people, he likes photographing cities. In the 'Snaps' series of photographs from New York City, Paris, or Rome, we can see Erwitt's perfect use of the 'decisive moment'. The photographer has also achieved mastery in framing which he describes as 'simply the putting together of all elements in a rectangular frame'. In many Erwitt's photographs we can also see dogs, another favourite subject of his. 'Dogs are very similar to people; they just have more hair. But they do not complain and do not ask you for money.' He has published over 20 albums.
ADDITIONAL CHARGE DETAILS:
In addition to the hammer price, the successful bidder agrees to pay us a buyer's premium on the hammer price of each lot sold. On all lots we charge 18 % of the hammer price.
- To this lot we apply 'artist's resale right' ('droit de suite') fee. Royalties are calculated using a sliding scale of percentages of the hammer price.