Description:

HERBERT LIST (GERMAN, 1903-1975)
Friends I., Porto Ercole, 1950.
Silver gelatin print, estate stamp to verso. Portrait of a young man in denim shorts before another reclining young figure in interior scene, matted behind glass, wooden frame. Stephen Cohen Gallery label to verso.

Artist Bio: Herbert List was born in 1903 to a prosperous merchant family in Hamburg, Germany. He studied art history and literature at Heidelberg University while also working as an apprentice for a coffee dealer. During his travels as an apprentice for the coffee business between 1924-1928, he began taking photos. In 1930, his connections and artistic endeavors brought him together with the photographer Andreas Feininger. Andreas introduced him to the Rolleiflex, a more sophisticated camera. List began photographing still life, as well as friends. He described the images as "composed visions where [my] arrangements try to capture the magical essence inhabiting and animating the world of appearances".

He left Germany in 1936 and began his professional life as a photographer. Focusing on still life in his new studio, he paved the way for his role as the most prominent photographer of the Fotografia Metafisica style. From 1937-1939, his focus had shifted to Greece, where he captured photos that would be displayed at his first solo show in Paris. He was subsequently published in Life, Photographie, Verve and Harper's Bazaar.

He was forced back to Germany in 1941 by invading troops because of his Jewish background. He captured portraits of Berard, Cocteau, Honegger and Picasso in 1945. In 1946 he became art editor of Heute, an American magazine for Germans. In his later years, his interest of photography faded, and he declined many offers for retrospectives of his work. Instead focusing on his collection of Old Master drawings.

He died in 1975 in Munich, with his photography mostly forgotten. Interest in his work has been recently revived though, due to a monograph published by Schirmer Mosel and several exhibitions featuring his work. His work is also on display at many locations, ranging from the Museum of Modern Art in New York to the Pompidou Center in Paris.

Sources:
https://www.magnumphotos.com/photographer/herbert-list/

https://herbert-list.com/en/bio
Sight: 11.25" height, 8.25" width; frame: 17.5" height, 14.5" width

Accepted Forms of Payment:

American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Money Order / Cashiers Check, Personal Check, Visa, Wire Transfer

Shipping

Shipment is the full responsibility of the buyer. Selkirk will not be responsible for any loss, damage, theft, or otherwise responsible for any items left in Selkirk's possession fifteen (15) days after the sale. If arrangements for shipping have not been made and communicated within thirty (30) days, Selkirk reserves the right, at this time, to charge a storage fee of $10 per lot per day for furniture and large format items and $5 per lot per day for all other items, and within sixty (60) days, at its own discretion, sell any items left on the premises. Accumulated fees resulting from storage and insurance cost will be taken out of any proceeds.

Objects that contain materials of endangered or protected species may be subject to regulations disallowing export and import into other states or countries. It is the buyer's responsibility to be aware of all applicable laws and regulations and to obtain any required export or import licenses or certificates and any other required documentation.

May 12, 2022 10:00 AM CDT
St. Louis, MO, US

Selkirk Auctioneers & Appraisers

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of up to 25% and any applicable taxes and shipping.

View full terms and conditions

Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $29 $5
$30 $99 $10
$100 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $2,999 $100
$3,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $29,999 $1,000
$30,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $299,999 $10,000
$300,000 $499,999 $25,000
$500,000 + $50,000