Year: 1980
Material: Vintage print on Baryta paper 
Signature: Artist's initials and inscription on the recto. Date, title, Artist's stamp and initials on the verso 
Frame: No
Total size including edges: 40 x 30 cm
Image size: 25 x 25 cm
Condition: slightly stained on the corners, small TippEx spot under the image, otherwise fair

Herbert Tobias (Dessau,1924 – Hamburg,1982) was a German photographer who first became well known for his fashion photography during the 1950s. Besides his portrait studies and his photographs of Russia during World War II, he masterfully captured the German homosexual scene of the post-war period. He was one of the first artists in Germany to die from AIDS at the beginning of the outbreak.

This photograph of a male nude with a sparkler was printed two years before Tobias’ premature death, and carries the Artist’s hand written inscription “Happy Christmas to you!” on the verso and the title “Illumination” on the verso.