Going Once, Going Twice… Gone!

The OstLicht Photo Auction – set to take place on November 19, 2022, from 5 p.m. – offers an exciting mix of works, spanning the full breadth of Austrian and international photography history. In addition to visiting the auction room, bids can be placed in writing and by phone, as well as via the online platforms Liveauctioneers, Invaluable and Drout. Thanks to the newly introduced online catalogue, bidding is now also possible directly on the OstLicht homepage (ostlicht-auction.com) in real time and at no extra cost.

Among the over 230 lots are several particular highlights – such as Rudolf Koppitz’s legendary Motion Study of 1925. The artfully orchestrated image depicts a nude dancer, bending backwards in front of a triangular formation of dark-robed figures. With its stylised grace and technical perfection, the photograph possesses elements of modernism, as well as the Vienna Secession and Wiener Werkstätte movements – thereby capturing the cultural currents of the Austrian avant-garde in an almost unparalleled manner.

Another exceptional auction lot was created by American photographer William Klein, who passed away just a few weeks ago. With his unusual choice of framing, double-exposures, and the implementation of light and fog as powerful stylistic tools, Klein revolutionised the world of fashion photography. His image Alexander III + Marines – one of his most famous works for Vogue – illustrates that he was also one of the first fashion photographers to liberate his models from the static atmosphere of the studio, in favour of outdoor location shoots. The signed print is estimated to achieve around € 8,000 – 10,000.

The controversial Japanese photographer Nobuyoshi Araki is also represented at the auction, with one of his perhaps most extraordinary works. The untitled image from his Tokyo Comedy series (1997) shows a stage-like orchestration of a couple, and is one of the few scenes in Araki’s oeuvre to centre around a male protagonist.

Further highlights include: Marc Riboud’s shot of a surefooted worker giving the Eiffel Tower a new coat of paint; a signed gelatin silver print from Henri Cartier-Bresson’s famous Seville series; and Helmut Newton’s photo book SUMO, which – combined with its book stand – weighs a total of 35 kilograms.

For further information visit OstLicht Photo Auction