Views of Mount Vesuvius. 1872-1888. 9 albumen prints. Each between 18,2 x 24 and 20,2 x 24,4 cm (31,4 x 37,8 cm). Most with negative number, caption and date in the negative in lower edge, mounted to board.
Giorgio Sommer is renowned for his extensive collection of Italian landscapes, with an emphasis on Naples and its surrounding areas. His significant achievements in photography earned him acclaim and the official appointment as the photographer to King Victor Emmanuel II of Italy. This compilation of photographs encompasses a variety of Mount Vesuvius scenes, from tourists ascending the craters and riding the mountain railway to captivating eruptions, such as the 1872 volcanic eruption as seen from the Gulf of Naples. – Some fading along edges. small tear in right portion of one photograph, some buckling of board, otherwise in good condition.
Lit.: Marina Miraglia/Pino Piantanida, et. al. Giorgio Sommer in Italien: Fotografien 1857-1888. Heidelberg 1992, ill. pp. 119, 123 and 124.
Views of Naples and Capri. 1860-1886. 46 albumen prints. Each ca. 20,2 x 25,4 cm (31,3 x 37,8 cm) or vice versa. Negative number and caption in lower edge, mounted to board.
This set of photographs showcases numerous picturesque vistas by Giorgio Sommer, encompassing scenes of Naples, viewed from the sea, the Castel dell'Ovo with fishermen in the foreground, aerial perspectives of the port and St. Lucia neighborhood, and glimpses of Naples' inner city. It also presents captivating views of Capri, complete with portraits of local residents, iconic tourist destinations such as the Faraglioni and the Grotta Azzurra, and interior shots of the historic Hotel Pagano, a beloved haven for foreign tourists during that period. – Some fading and silver mirroring along edges, some buckling and foxing of board, otherwise in good condition.
Lit.: Marina Miraglia/Pino Piantanida, et. al. Giorgio Sommer in Italien: Fotografien 1857-1888. Heidelberg 1992, ill. pp. 87, 92, 152 and 153.
Views of Pompeii. 1860s. 24 albumen prints. Each ca. 20,2 x 25,4 cm (31,3 x 37,8 cm) or vice versa. Negative number and caption in the negative in lower edge, mounted to board.
This collection of photographs features a variety of scenes from Pompeii, including the public baths, the amphitheater, the temples dedicated to Mercury and Isis, Marco Lucrezio's house, as well as several images of both human and canine casts. – Some fading and silver mirroring along edges, some buckling and foxing of board, otherwise in good condition.
Lit.: Marina Miraglia/Pino Piantanida, et. al. Giorgio Sommer in Italien: Fotografien 1857-1888. Heidelberg 1992, ill. pp. 126 and 131.
Sommer, Giorgio
Building of the Gotthardbahn
Los 4066
Ergebnis (inkl. Aufgeld) *
250€ (US$ 269)
Building of the Gotthardbahn. Mid-1870s-1880. 3 albumen prints. Each ca. 20 x 25 cm (31,4 x 37,8 cm). Negative number, title and location in the negative in lower edge, mounted to board.
The Gotthardbahn stands as a significant railway artery in Switzerland, coursing through the Swiss Alps to unite the country's northern and southern regions, making it an essential transportation conduit. Among the images in this collection, one captures the early phases of construction for the Gotthard Base Tunnel, recognized as one of the lengthiest and deepest railway tunnels worldwide. – Some slight fading along edges, some buckling and foxing of board, otherwise in good condition.
Steigenberger, Jacob or Joseph Albert
Oberammergau Passion Play
Los 4067
Ergebnis (inkl. Aufgeld) *
1.125€ (US$ 1,210)
(Attributed to). Oberammergau Passion Play. 1870/71. 2 large-format albumen prints. 27 x 47 cm and 28,3 x 52,2 cm. Each mounted to board (48,2 x 64,2 cm).
These images depict scenes from the 1870 performance of the Oberammergau Passion Play, a centuries-old tradition in Oberammergau, Bavaria. The exclusive privilege of photographing the actors, capturing moments like the Last Supper and Christ's condemnation, was granted to photographers Jacob Steigenberger (1828-1896) and Bernhard Johannes (1848-1899) before the play's commencement. Notable attendees of the 1870 event, which attracted more than 40,000 spectators, included Ludwig II of Bavaria, the future King Edward VII, Richard Wagner, Franz Liszt, and British banker Leopold de Rothschild. Subsequently, in the aftermath of the Passion Play's interruption and resumption due to the Franco-German War, renowned court photographer Joseph Albert documented the play, fulfilling a request from King Ludwig II and producing 60 photographs that included depictions of the living scenes and important crowd moments. – Mounts with some buckling and foxing as well as a few tears and creases, slightly soiled; prints with a few scuff marks, stains and mirroring along edges, otherwise in good condition.
Photographer: William England and Adolphe Braun. Views of Switzerland including an Alpine landscape, the Rigi train and view of Bern. 1860s/70s. 3 albumen prints and 1 salted paper print. 19 x 16 cm and 18 x 25 cm. Mounted to original boards (soiled, some with light foxing), 2 with printed text below images on mounts.
William England and Adolphe Braun, both renowned 19th-century photographers, produced captivating images of Switzerland, showcasing its majestic landscapes, charming villages, and the grandeur of the Swiss Alps. Their work played a crucial role in popularizing Switzerland as a travel destination and is celebrated for its artistic value, also providing an important historical record of the country's stunning landscapes during the Victorian era. – Some surface scuff marks, some mirroring near edges, one slightly faded, otherwise with strong tones and in good condition.
Titzenthaler, Waldemar
Views of Berlin:"An der Friedrichsgracht 61-56 mit Jungfernbrücke"; Feldmarschall Blücher monument, Berlin
Los 4070
Ergebnis (inkl. Aufgeld) *
875€ (US$ 941)
Views of Berlin:"An der Friedrichsgracht 61-56 mit Jungfernbrücke"; Feldmarshall Blücher monument, Berlin. 1909/1903. 2 vintage collodion paper prints. 23 x 29 cm and 28 x 21,8 cm. Each with photographer's logo, negative number and 1 with date in the negative in lower right corner, mounted to board.
The German photographer Waldemar Titzenthaler was renowned for his portraiture, interior photography, and architectural work. This image features the Jungfernbrücke, a historic bridge that spans the River Spree, linking Friedrichswerder to Museum Island. Erected in 1798, it remains one of Berlin's oldest bridges, celebrated for its elegant neoclassical design. The name "Jungfernbrücke," meaning "Maiden's Bridge," stems from the tradition of young brides crossing it on their way to the Nikolaikirche for their wedding ceremonies. – Slight surface rubbing, otherwise in good condition.
Provenance: Robert Lebeck Collection
Lit.: Landesbildstelle Berlin (ed.). Berlin. Photographien von Waldemar Titzenthaler, Berlin 200, ill p. 33 (Unter den Linden).
Talbot, William Henry Fox
Nelson's Column under Construction, Trafalgar Square, London, April
Los 4071
Ergebnis (inkl. Aufgeld) *
2.125€ (US$ 2,285)
"Nelson's Column under Construction, Trafalgar Square, London, April". 1844. Salted paper print from a calotype negative. 17 x 21,2 cm (18,6 x 22,6 cm). Annotated LA 309 in ink on verso, hinge-mounted in upper edge to window mat.
William Henry Fox Talbot, a 19th-century English scientist and pioneer in the field of photography, is renowned for inventing the calotype process, a major advancement in early photography that enabled multiple prints to be made from a single negative. This photograph shows the unfinished base and part of the shaft of Nelson’s Column in Trafalgar Square, with the early 18th century church of Saint Martin-in-the-Fields in the background. Other examples of this image are in the collections of the Metropolitan Museum, the Museum of Fine Art Houston and the Getty Museum. – Faded, a few light handling marks, otherwise in good condition.
Provenance: Uta and Wilfried Wiegand Collection
Lit.: Larry J. Schaaf. The Photographic Art of William Henry Fox Talbot. Princeton 2000, see plate plate 81, p. 194 and cover, showing detail.
Talbot, William Henry Fox
A Fruit Piece; The Haystack
Los 4072
Ergebnis (inkl. Aufgeld) *
600€ (US$ 645)
"A Fruit Piece"; "The Haystack". 1844/45/printed 1987. 2 salt prints on thick paper from original calotype negatives. 17,4 x 20,7 cm and 16,9 x 21,8 cm.
These two prints were made from William Henry Fox Talbot's original calotype negatives on the occasion of the exhibition and publication of the book "Die Aufgehobene Zeit". – In excellent condition.
Lit.: Hubertus von Amelunxen (ed.). Die Aufgehobene Zeit. Berlin 1989, illustrated.
Various photographers: Auguste-Rosalie Bisson (Bisson jeune1826-1900), Ippolito Lafranchini (1826-1899), Carlo Naya (1816-1882) and Carlo Ponti (1822-1893). Views of Venice. 1855-1860s. 6 albumen prints. Various sizes between 41 x 53 cm and 33,5 x 25,5 cm. Some with number/photographer's name in the negative in lower corners, 1 with printed text below image on mount and 1 with printed text on mount verso.
This collection features attractive, early views of various Venetian landmarks, such as the Courtyard of the Doge's Palace, the Stairway to Doge's Palace, views of the Palazzo Vendramin Calergi (the place of Wagner's passing) from the Fondaco dei Turchi terrace, and the iconic Ponte dei Sospiri (Bridge of Sighs). – Palazzo Vendramin print with some spots in sky area and some fading in edges, a few small retouched spots, small nick in upper and right edge, Lafranchini (Bridge of Sighs) print faded.
Provenance: Robert Lebeck Collection
Villa Hügel
Interior and exterior views of Villa Hügel
Los 4076
Ergebnis (inkl. Aufgeld) *
625€ (US$ 672)
Photographer unknown. Interior and exterior views of Villa Hügel, Essen. 1900. 38 vintage platinum prints. Each ca 23 x 16 and reverse. Each mounted to original board (soiled in edges), in canvas portfolio (damaged, soiled).
The Krupp cast steel factory owed its rise in the 1850s-1860s mainly to the enormous expansion of the railroad network in America and Europe and finally to arms production and its sales to Prussia. Built between 1870-1873, Villa Hügel served as the Krupp family‘s residence for many years and also played a significant role in hosting political and cultural events. As an iconic and typical structure of the Gründerzeit, this building became a significant landmark. The villa boasts 269 rooms with a living space of over 8 thousand square meters, featuring historical as well as more modern furnishings up to circa 1900. – Most in very good condition.
Vincotte, Thomas & Jules Lagae
Horses for the quadriga of the Cinquantenaire Arch in Brussels
Los 4077 [*]
Ergebnis (inkl. Aufgeld) *
813€ (US$ 874)
Photographer unknown. Horses for the quadriga of the Cinquantenaire Arch in Brussels. Circa 1905. Collodion paper print. 25,5 x 49 cm. Flush-mounted to board, annotated in pencil mount on verso.
This photograph displays elements of a bronze sculptural group featuring a female charioteer representing Brabant province raising the national flag. It was commissioned in 1880 under King Leopold II‘s patronage to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Belgian revolution (Brabant Revolution). Crafted by Belgian sculptors Thomas Vincotte and Jules Lagae, the monument was unveiled in 1905, gracing the Cinquantenaire Arch, with its gaze toward the heart of Brussels. – Edges slightly worn, upper corners bumped, some scuff marks, creases and abrasions on print surface, otherwise a final tonal print in good condition.
Tree study from the series "Dessauer Eichen (Oaks in Dessau)". 1859. Varnished salted paper print with rounded corners. 32 x 25,5 cm. Signed and dated by the photographer in ink in edge lower left, mounted to original board (a few spots) with applicated frame line, annotated in pencil in lower edge.
Gustav Völkerling, a skilled German artist based in Dessau during the mid-19th century, transitioned from portrait painting to photography in 1857. He was renowned for integrating painterly methods into his photographic work, earning recognition for the artistic quality of his depictions of Dessau's landscapes and daily life, leading to prestigious commissions, notably from Duke Leopold IV of Anhalt. – Faded, some light surface scuff marks, a few retouched spots, otherwise in good condition.
New York City. 1998. Gelatin silver print. 23 x 34 cm (30,3 x 40,6 cm). Signed titled and dated in pencil on verso.
Michael Ackerman, a prominent contemporary American photographer, is celebrated for his unique and at times surreal photographic style, which transcends conventional boundaries. His portfolio encompasses a diverse range of genres, incorporating elements of street photography and documentary photography. Ackerman's images frequently exude an overwhelming sense of intensity, masterfully capturing unfiltered and emotive moments within the dynamic tapestry of urban settings. – In near excellent condition.
Photography agency: Georg and Otto Haeckel (1873-1942, 1872-1945). Inhabitants of East Africa. Circa 1910. 7 vintage gelatin silver prints. Between circa 18 x 12,7 cm and 8,5 x 14 cm. A few with typed text label on verso.
The press photographers Georg and Otto Haeckel played a significant role in the development of photography in Germany. As press photographers, the brothers traveled extensively throughout the world, and would often accompany Reichstag officials on their journeys through German East Africa before their expulsion from the former colony at the end of WWI. The tribes depicted in these photographs include the Wavumba, Wanjamwesi, and Wageia of present-day Rwanda and Burundi – A few light handling marks, otherwise in very good condition.
"Untitled" from the series "Tokyo Story". 1989. Silver gelatin print. 32,6 x 40,5 cm (35,6 x 43,3 cm). Signed by the photographer in pencil on verso.
Nobuyoshi Araki's work is characterized by its provocative and often controversial exploration of themes such as sexuality, intimacy and the human condition. His extensive oeuvre includes a wide range of subjects, from Tokyo street scenes to explicit bondage-inspired photographs, challenging societal norms and boundaries. Among Araki's most groundbreaking and influential series is "Tokyo Story (Tokyo Monogatari)," in which the artist candidly delves into Tokyo's multifaceted subcultures, notably the underground and fetish scenes that thrived during the 1970s and 1980s. – In excellent condition.
Bondage. Circa 1995. Gelatin silver print on RC paper. 20,2 x 25,2 cm. Signed and annotated by the photographer in ink and photographer's copyright information on verso.
Handling dent in lower left, otherwise in very good condition.
Architecture/Interior Design
Hotel Askanischer Hof, Berlin
Los 4084
Ergebnis (inkl. Aufgeld) *
625€ (US$ 672)
Photographer: Wanda von Debschitz-Kunowski (1870-1935). Hotel Askanischer Hof, Berlin. Interior and exterior views. Circa 1923/35. 12 vintage gelatin silver prints. Each circa 16,5 x 21,5 cm and reverse. Each with photographer's W. v. Debschitz-Kunowski, Wilm., Nassauischestr. 4 III, Tel. Pfalzburg 9277 stamp on the verso. 8 photos numbered by the photographer and 11 other photos annotated by other hands in pencil on the verso.
Wanda von Debschitz-Kunowski was married to Wilhelm von Debschitz, co-founder of a private reform art school in Munich, in 1902. From 1904-1914 she worked at the school as a photographer teaching courses and photographing students' work. In 1921, after divorcing von Debschitz, she established her own photographic studio in Berlin and photographed applied art objects, personalities as well as modern architecture and exhibitions. This lot gives an attractive overview of the famous Hotel Askanischer Hof in Berlin where Franz Kafka once resided. – Most with traces of previous mounting on the verso and with silver mirroring in edges and darker areas, some with small nicks in edges, several with fading in edges, otherwise in good to very good condition. With: Wanda von Debschitz-Kunowski. 14 additonal gelatin silver prints, some doubles of Hotel Askanischer Hof images and 4 other photos by other photographers. Circa 22 x 16,5 cm. Some mounted to board.
Provenance: Robert Lebeck Collection
Architecture & Design
International World's Fair Barcelona, Pavilion of the German Electrical Industry
Los 4085
Ergebnis (inkl. Aufgeld) *
813€ (US$ 874)
Photographer: Wilhelm Niemann (1891-1981). International World's Fair Barcelona, Pavilion of the German Electrical Industry, designed by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe. 1929. Vintage gelatin silver print. 16,2 x 20,9 cm. Berliner Bild Bericht agency stamp on the verso.
Wilhelm Niemann had an influential role in early 20th-century architectural photography. He contributed substantially to the documentation and promotion of modernist and Bauhaus architecture and captured iconic designs by Mies van der Rohe, such as the German Pavilion at the 1929 International World Exposition in Barcelona. – A fine tonal print in very good condition.
Lit.: Zentralblatt der Bauverwaltung. Vol. 49, iss. 34, 1929, p. 546 (titled: Pavillon der Deutschen Elektrizität-Lieferungsindustrie).
Helmut Reuter and Birgit Schulte (eds.): Mies und das Neue Wohnen. Räume, Möbel. Fotografie. Ostfildern 2008, ill. 258 (variant), p. 269.
Aviation
Construction of the Hindenburg airship
Los 4087 [*]
Ergebnis (inkl. Aufgeld) *
750€ (US$ 806)
Construction of the Hindenburg airship. 1932-1937. 5 vintage gelatin silver prints. Each ca. 17,5 x 23,5 cm. With Luftschiffbau Zeppelin Friedrichshafen copyright stamp on verso.
These images provide a glimpse into the Friedrichshafen airship wharf during the construction phase of the infamous Hindenburg Zeppelin. The photographs of the interior offer a profound insight into the vast scale of this ambitious endeavor. – Corners slightly bumped, some scuff marks, otherwise in very good condition.
South India. 1960s. Vintage gelatin silver print on Agfa-Brovira paper. 22 x 33 cm (30,5 x 40,5). Photographer's stamp, annotated in pencil and newspaper article taped to the verso.
Renowned British fashion photographer David Bailey has made multiple trips to India since the 1960s, creating a rich and varied collection of images that beautifully showcase the country's diverse landscapes, people, and culture. In addition to his portraits of prominent figures like Mother Teresa and Indian actress Aishwarya Rai, Bailey's portfolio also includes a series of black-and-white landscape photographs imbued with a sense of subtle contemplation. – Handling creases throughout, especially in margins.
Balász Studio
Portrait of the silent screen actor Arne Molander
Los 4090
Ergebnis (inkl. Aufgeld) *
450€ (US$ 484)
Portrait of the Danish silent screen actor Arne Molander. Late 1920s. Vintage matte sepia-toned gelatin silver print. 22,7 x 17 cm. Mounted to original board (soiled, pinholes in corners), signed by the photographer in pencil below the image on the mount; photographer's studio stamp and annotated in pencil on the verso.
Danish actor Arne Molander had a relatively limited presence in German cinema, featuring in just three films. He had a leading part in the war drama Richthofen, der Rote Ritter der Luft (Peter Joseph, Desider Kertesz, 1929) as the son of the famous German Baron and WWI hero. Following this, his subsequent appearances were smaller parts in Der höhere Befehl (Gerhard Lamprecht, 1935) and Schlussakkord (Douglas Sierck [later Douglas Sirk], 1936). – Light silver mirroring in edges, otherwise in near excellent condition.
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Galerie Bassenge
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Öffnungszeiten:
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Telefon: +49 30 8938029-0
Fax: +49 30 8918025
E-Mail: info (at) bassenge.com
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© 2024 Galerie Gerda Bassenge
Galerie Bassenge
Erdener Str. 5A
14193 Berlin
Öffnungszeiten:
Montag bis Donnerstag, 10–18 Uhr,
Freitag, 10–16 Uhr
Telefon: +49 30 8938029-0
Fax: +49 30 8918025
E-Mail: info (at) bassenge.com
Impressum
Datenschutzerklärung
© 2022 Galerie Gerda Bassenge