DOROTHY NORMAN (1905-1997)

Clouds

Details

DOROTHY NORMAN (1905-1997)
Clouds
2 gelatin silver prints, mounted together. Circa 1931. Inscribed Did it this way for fun in pencil by Dorothy Norman and inscribed Did you - It's very expressive. It's there Terrifically - ILY in pencil by Alfred Stieglitz on the reverse of the mount.
3¼ x 2 3/8in. (8.3 x 6.1cm.); and 3 x 2 3/8in. (7.6 x 6.1cm.), one flush-mounted and both mounted on board.

Provenance

From the artist;
to the present owner.

Literature

See: Barth, ed., Intimate Visions, The Photographs of Dorothy Norman, p. 43 for one of the images.

Lot Essay

This early example of Norman's work provides us with a unique and intimate insight into her relationship with Alfred Stieglitz, both as her teacher and as her lover. In Intimate Visions, Norman noted that she often showed Stieglitz her work even before it was perfected in order to help clarify her aims and "his not offering criticism, but being loving and trusting, made me solve problems myself." (p.23). The written exchange between Norman and Stieglitz on the reverse of this mount attests to that strength in their relationship; the ILY at the end of his reply translates into I Love You.

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