November 20, 2010 Christie's Paris exposes for sale a selection of more than 60 works of outstanding photographers of the twentieth century, Richard Avedon

«Photos fine. But none of them does not reflect the whole truth ».
Richard Avedon, 1980

• Richard Avedon
  Dovima with elephants, evening dress by Dior,
  Winter Circus in Paris. August 1955
  Christie's. 20/11/2010. Lot № 16
  Estimate: 400-600 thousand euro (500-700 thousand dollars)
  Source: christies.com

November 20, 2010 Christie's Paris exposes for sale a selection of outstanding works of Richard Avedon (1923-2004). Creativity Avedon, one of the pillars of photographs of the twentieth century, is a kind of portrait gallery of the most outstanding personalities of his time. Among other things, his works are excellent illustrations of the history of the fashion world. Exhibited at the upcoming auction of more than 60 photographs, that in itself is an event for the art market, as the compilation of this magnitude appear at auction rather rare. It should be noted that some of the work - these are real rarities for sale and they have never been exhibited. The total estimate of lots that will be brought to the attention of collectors in Paris, Festival of Photography (November 18-21), more than 3.5 million euros (3,7-6 million dollars). Proceeds from the auction will be used to fund charitable projects by Richard Avedon.

Paul Roth, executive director of the Richard Avedon: "We are honored to collaborate with the auction house Christie's in Paris for this auction. The fund was created by Richard Avedon with a view to selling his pictures and send the resulting proceeds to various charitable projects to support the visual arts and educational initiatives in the field of photography ».

Philippe Garner, head of the department of arts and crafts of the twentieth century and photographs Christie's: «On the upcoming auction will be presented photographic images of people in the arts of the twentieth century. A separate section of the work will be devoted to the world of high fashion with all its stylishness and elegance ».

Richard Avedon - one of the key and most influential people in the history of photography. His consummate skill of portrait photography, as well as masterpieces created in the fashion world, earned him a reputation among the leading and most respected curators, art historians, which has recently found expression in numerous exhibitions and books devoted to his work. Avedon himself said: "The secret of the portrait is not a similarity. At the very moment when a certain emotion or action are imprinted on the photo, they are no longer taken for granted, but they are only subjective opinions about them. Inaccuracies in the photos deleted. Photos are accurate. But none of them does not reflect the whole truth ».

• Richard Avedon
  Marilyn Monroe, actress. New York. May 1957
  Christie's. 20/11/2010. Lot № 37
  Estimate: 80-120 thousand euro (100-150 thousand dollars)
  Source: christies.com

Avedon was born in New York in 1923 and already in the age of 12 became interested in photography. During the Second World War he served in the Marines, which also did not release the camera from his hands, and after the war, his career began to develop rapidly. While working in the magazine Harper's Bazaar at Avedon appeared insurmountable love for Paris, where he filmed fashion shows and new collections of leading fashion designers for over forty years. Top-lot auction will be one of its brightest and best-known works from this period - "Dovima with elephants, evening dress by Dior, Winter Circus in Paris, experts estimated the auction house at 400-600 thousand euros (500-700 thousand dollars). This photographic print exhibition is the largest of all. It was he who was included in the list of exhibits retrospective exhibition devoted to works of Avedon, held at the Metropolitan Museum in New York in 1978. Avedon love of French culture is reflected in his shoot for fashion magazine 1950. He managed to breathe life into the world of photography - static postures have become dynamic images, ready to descend from the page toward the viewer. The most striking examples of such transformation can be attributed work "Veruschka" (estimate 12-18 thousand euros /15-25 thousand dollars), "Jean Shrimpton" (estimate 15-25 thousand euros /20-30 thousand dollars) and "Twiggy" ( estimate 15-25 thousand euros /20-30 thousand dollars).

include portrait photos exposed on the upcoming auction, deserve special attention, "Marilyn Monroe" (estimate 80-120 thousand euro 100-150 thousand dollars), "Bridget Bordeaux" (estimate 60-80 thousand euros /70-90 thousand dollars), "Pablo Picasso" (estimate 30-50 thousand euros /40-60 thousand dollars), "Marcel Duchamp" ( estimate 15-25 thousand euros /20-30 thousand dollars). Appreciable part of the creative heritage Avedon - images of prominent political figures, including "Malcolm X" (estimate 50-70 thousand euros /60-90 thousand dollars) and "Dalai Lama" (estimate: 12.8 thousand euros /10-15 thousand dollars) .

One of the top lots of this section is a set of four portraits of members of the group Beatles - «The Beatles, London, England" (estimate 250-350 thousand euros /300-500 thousand dollars) . These psychedelic images of John Lennon, George Harrison, Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr are extremely popular, but at the auctions appear quite rare: the last time it was at Christie's auction in October 2005 and culminated in a record price of 464,000 dollars.

Christie's not the first time holds the auction dedicated to the work of a famous photographer. So, in 2008 a collection of works of Diane Arbus was sold for 1,4 million dollars (just exhibited for sale Lot 51). In the same year a selection of 50 photographs by William Eggleston was sold for $ 3 million. In April 2010, 67 shots Irwin Pena were bought for 3.8 million dollars.

Money raised from the sale of works by Richard Avedon, will be sent to his fund and spent for charitable purposes in particularly in fact to keep in good condition and archive of photographs and give the opportunity to work with them, scientists and students to develop educational programs based on the creative legacy of Avedon.

Source : Press Release Christie's