Portrait of an Elder Couple 1948 - Photo w/ Negative

Year1948

Hand SignedLower Right in Pencil 

Condition Mint 

Not FramedPresented on a Sturdy Cardboard Backing 

Purchased fromOther 2023 

Provenance / HistoryImogen Cunningham's "Portrait of an Elder Couple," an original hand-signed photograph dated 1948, is a poignant and intimate portrayal of human connection. This remarkable piece features not only Cunningham's distinctive signature but also the photographer's label on the verso, enhancing its historical significance. Measuring 6 1/2" x 5 1/2," the image is thoughtfully presented on a sturdy cardboard backing, creating a full size of 11" x 14."Imogen Cunningham (1883-1976) was a pioneering figure in the realm of 20th-century photography. Her illustrious career spanned several decades, during which she explored various facets of photography, from captivating portraits to botanical studies. Cunningham's work is celebrated for its impeccable composition, technical precision, and an innate ability to capture the character and essence of her subjects. 

Certificate of AuthenticityPhotographer's Label on the Verso 

Additional InformationSUPER SUPER - Blue Chip Photographer 

LID164516

Imogen Cunningham - United States

Art Brokerage: Imogen Cunningham American Photographer B. 1883-1976. Imogen Cunningham is renowned as one of the greatest American women photographers. In 1901, having sent away $15 for her first camera, she commenced what would become the longest photographic career in the history of the medium. Cunningham soon turned her attention to both the nude as well as native plant forms in her back garden. The results were staggering; an amazing body of work comprised of bold, contemporary forms. These works are characterized by a visual precision that is not scientific, but which presents the lines and textures of her subjects articulated by natural light and their own gestures. Her refreshing, yet formal and sensitive floral images from the 1920s ultimately became her most acclaimed images. Cunningham also had an intuitive command of portraiture but her real artistic legacy was secured though her inclusion in the "F64" show in San Francisco in 1932. With a small group of photographers which included Edward Weston and Ansel Adams, she pioneered the renewal of photography on the West Coast. Awarded a Guggenheim fellowship, Cunningham's work continues to be exhibited and collected around the world.