63

LUCIA MOHOLY (1894-1989) A selection of 7 important real photo postcards documenting the art and architecture of the Bauhaus.

LUCIA MOHOLY (1894-1989)
A selection of 7 important real photo postcards documenting the art and architecture of the Bauhaus. Silver prints on carte-postale paper, the images measuring 3¼x4 5/8 inches (8.3x11.7 cm.), and slightly smaller, and the reverse, the sheets 3½x5½ inches (8.9x14 cm.), each with the photographer's credit, caption, and date printed on verso. 1923, 1925-26
The Moholy cards include: Walter Gropius: Bauhausneubau, Dessau, Werkstättenbau, 1925-26 * Wohnhaus Gropius in der Bauhausmeister-siedlung, Architekt Waler Gropius, Dessau, 1925-26 * Walter Gropius: Bauhausenbau, Dessau, 1925-26 * Walter Gropius/Dessau: Doppelwohnhaus der Bauhausmeistersiedlung, 1925-26 * Marianne Brandt / Bauhaus: Beieuchtungskörper, 1926 * Georg Muche / Bauhaus: Bild (positiv-negativ), 1926 * Paul Klee / Bauhaus: Feuerwind, 1923

WITH-- Three additional real photo postcards documenting artworks created by Bauhaus artists as well as one small silver print of a model. The subjects include: Consemüller, Gunta Stölzl: Wandbehang, 1924 * Consemüller, Marcel Breuer / Bauhaus: Klubsessel aus Vernickeltem Stahlrohr, 1925 * Oskar Schlemmer / Bauhaus: Konzentrische Gruppe, 1925 * Projekt Für Ein Wohnhaus, A.Z. Ulrich (the silver print, with notations on verso)
Lucia Moholy's important contributions to the aesthetic and documentation of the Bauhaus school went unrecognized for many decades, largely through the willful erasure of her contributions by her husband Laszlo Moholy-Nagy and the founder of the Bauhaus, Walter Gropius, but also her forced flight from the rise of the Nazi party in Germany. Through Moholy eventually reclaimed her negatives (through legal action), her status and influence remain unappreciated.

  • Condition: This spectacular group of real photo postcards documenting Bauhaus art and architecutre is in overall very good to excellent condition. The seven cards by Lucia Moholy are rich and contrasty, with striking compositions and fine detail throughout.

    In raking light the image areas evidence a faint patina of silvering, but this is not distracting, and overall the prints are bright, neat, and clean. The margins and versos are overall also very bright and clean, with just occasional faint soiling from handling on verso, but this is both unobtrusive and minor. It is noted for the purposes of a detailed report.

    One postcard, the first on the list, evidences a few specs of foxing within the image area (in the upper right quadrant) as well as within the margin at the right. Print verso shows additional soiling from handling, including some residue in the upper right corner and a notation in pencil from a later hand. These issues do not detract from the strong compositional lines.

    The Paul Klee shows a tiny short impression at the lower right edge in raking light.

    The three postcards that are not credited to Moholy are also in very good condition. The image of the chair shows some soiling related to handling as well as a tiny spec of residue within the image area, but this is not distracting.


    Please contact the Specialist for the auction to request a condition report.

    Condition reports and additional images are provided as a courtesy and should be used by you to aid in the formation of your own opinion regarding condition. All material is sold subject to Swann's standard Terms and Conditions of Sale as published in our catalogues and posted on our website, and include the following terms: (1) all property is sold "as-is"; and (2) works cannot be returned on the basis of condition.

Accepted Forms of Payment:

Money Order / Cashiers Check, Personal Check, Wire Transfer

Shipping

Upon request, Swann will facilitate the shipping of purchases to out-of-town buyers at an additional charge for packing, shipping and insurance, but will not be responsible for any loss, damage or delay resulting from the packing, handling and shipping thereof. Unless specific instructions are received, Swann is the sole judge of the method to be used for shipment. Packing and shipping costs will be noted on the invoice mailed to successful bidders after the sale, and are based on the actual costs involved. Be advised that a full commercial invoice must accompany any purchase shipped outside the US.

February 23, 2023 12:00 PM EST
New York, NY, US

Swann Auction Galleries

You agree to pay a buyer’s premium, as outlined below, and any applicable taxes and shipping.
Buyer's Premium
$0 - $100,000:
27.00%
$100,001 - $1,000,000:
22.00%
$1,000,001+:
12.00%

View full terms and conditions

Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $149 $10
$150 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $5,999 $200
$6,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,000
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
$200,000 $499,999 $20,000
$500,000 + $50,000