In an effort to turn Paris into a European reference for photographic sales, Sotheby’s will be holding, on May 10, a specialized sale focused on a unique collection of works by photographer, Heinz Hajek-Halke (1898-1983).

The 78 prints opening the auction originate directly from the Heinz Hajek-Halke Foundation of Berlin that has conserved all of his work including his press work, his 1950’s experimentations, and his pre-war photomontages.

The prints to be sold at the upcoming auction are, according to an expert, the collection’s most beautiful.

Among them, the remarkable étude from the black and white nude series (1930-1936). An unusually sized print measuring 601×507mm is estimated at 20.000 to 30.000 euros.

The photomontages and experimentations include Die Üble Nachrede (The Vicious Gossip) 1932 estimated between 8.000 and 1.000€. Das Eva-Chanson (Eve’s Song) also estimated between 8.000 and 12.000€ and Der Gassenhauer (The Popular Song) estimated between 2.000 and 4.000€. Or Musik im Aether estimated 4.000 and 6.000€.

The sale will continue with 93 lots including an untitled 1924 rayogramme by Man Ray to be included in a future catalog raisonné. Estimation: 12.0000 and 150.000€. Again by Man Ray, two original silver prints Mathematical Object (1936) estimated respectively between 20.000 and 25.000€ and 30.000 and 50.000€

For the 19th century, Gustave Le Gray’s remarkable 1856 Marine, étude de nuages estimated 30.000 and 40.000€. Atget with Auberge du Compas d’Or 1904-1905, estimated 15.000 and 25.000€.

The sale will also feature works by contemporaries of Heinz Hajek-Halke, such as five prints by Heinrich Kühn taken during 1906-1920. Mary Warner et Lotte (1907), estimation : 15.000 and 20.000€ and Nature morte aux dahlias, towards 1920, estimation 6.000 and 8.000€.

For the contemporary section, the auction will offer a large format print by Helmut Newton, Lisa Lyon in her studio, Venice, California (1981), estimation : 50.000 and 70.000 €.

A selection of prints from Iranian photographer and filmmaker Shirin Neshat, including Rebellious Silence (1994), estimation : 40.000 and 60.000 €, I am its secret (1993) estimation : 8.000 and 12.000 €.
Finally, Daido Moriyama’s 2007 silkscreen print on Japanese canvas entitled Kuchibiru (Red), estimation : 12.000 and 15.000 €.

A reminder that the sales estimates do not include fees.

Bernard Perrine
Bernard.Perrine1@orange.fr

Auction, May 10, 2011
Session 1, lots 1 to 78, The Essential Heinz Hajek-Halke at 2:30pm, lots 101 to 183 at 4pm

Sotheby’s Paris
Galerie Charpentier
76 rue du Faubourg Saint Honoré
75008 Paris
+33 (0)1 53 05 53 05

Director of the Photography Department
Simone Klein
simone.klein@sothebys.com
+33 (0)1 53 05 52 88

Exhibition Paris
Thursday, May 5, to Saturday May 7, 10 to 6pm and Monday May 9, 10 to 6pm