An Eye Towards the Real: Photographs from the Collection of Ambassador Trevor Traina

Christie’s is pleased to announce the live auction of An Eye Towards the Real: Photographs from the Collection of Ambassador Trevor Traina, to be offered this autumn as part of the Contemporary New York sale series. Ambassador Traina was guided in his acquisitions by a fascination with the medium of photography and how photography in the art market has evolved from the post-war era into the contemporary, 21st century.

This collection presents a rich journey through stories, emotions, places and personalities, with a mix of works from photography’s documentary tradition, post-modern foundations, and more contemporary practices. Anchoring the post-war period are works by Robert Frank whose seminal photobook, The Americans, has influenced subsequent generations of photographers. The collection also features several key works by Diane Arbus, Garry Winogrand and Lee Friedlander — the trio of photographers included in John Szarkowski’s landmark exhibition New Documents held at the Museum of Modern Art in 1967.

Two intertwined themes that are woven throughout the collection are the rise to prominence of women photographers, and the birth and acceptance of colour photography within the art market. Works by Arbus, Cindy Sherman, Louise Lawler, and Tina Barney, sit alongside pieces by Nan Goldin, Alex Prager and Jackie Nickerson. Likewise, the powerful colour images of William Eggleston, Stephen Shore, Mitch Epstein and Larry Sultan are complemented by Thomas Struth, Andreas Gursky, Martin Parr and Paul Graham. Learn more about the auction highlights in the collection's editorial feature.

As part of an exciting and innovative partnership, all lots from this auction will be presented on the blockchain and offered with an associated digital certificate of ownership exclusively included with a Kresus wallet.

Homepage image © Eggleston Artistic Trust