Cocoon, by Vivian Maier, circa 1950s, credit: Heritage Auctions, HA.com
An extraordinary auction of early Vivian Maier photography has netted some bargains for vintage photography collectors. Vivian Maier has captivated the art collector and photography world since her stunning debut a few years ago and it is only a matter of time until Hollywood releases her biopic movie. There has already been an Academy Award nominated documentary. As the immense catalog of Ms Maier’s is released via auctions, further evidence of her mastery of craft emerges.
The auction centrepiece was a series of large format prints that Vivian Maier selected for exhibition and had printed during her lifetime. The serious collectors were well behaved and only took what they wanted, leaving some bargains up to $1000 and $1500 which was about half of some estimates. Heritage Auctions and Roy Slattery, the owner of the prints and transparencies, wisely included a good selection of prints so everyone came away happy.
One of the crown jewels of this auction is the unveiling of 20 large-format exhibition prints meticulously crafted by Maier during the late 1950s. These gems, hidden from public view since their initial discovery, offer a rare glimpse into Maier’s artistic vision.
Pamela Bannos, the acclaimed author of “Vivian Maier: A Photographer’s Life and Afterlife,” underscores the significance of these prints. “These were the photographs that were chosen by her, not for her,” Bannos elucidates. “In the case of the enlarged prints, they show her choices and give us a slightly different idea of what she was interested in capturing, perhaps only for herself.”
Smoking in the Street, by Vivian Maier, circa 1955, Gelatin silver vintage print, 4-5/8 x 3-5/8 inches (11.7 x 9.2 cm) (image), 5 x 4 inches (sheet) sold for $1,062.50
A few little gems included a series of nine prints called “Narrow Streets” made during Vivian Maier’s time in France, 1950-1951 at the genesis of her genius. These pocket sized photos, 2-3/4 x 3-3/4 inches (7.0 x 9.5 cm) and purchased for $400 in this auction, were listed as her “earliest known photographs”.
Vivian’s “Narrow Streets” series show her remarkable talent right from the moment she picked up a Kodak camera in Saint Bonnet en Champsaur in France. Her sense of framing forms amongst light and shadows to create pleasing compositions was clear, right from these original vintage prints. Amongst the package was a scallop edged print of her early choice of fine art print – a gorgeously ethereal study of plants framed by wall and foliage.
The nine original vintage prints in the series “Narrow Streets” together with a large format print plus the beautil “Boy vintage from 1955 will form the new “Genesis of Genius Vivian Maier” touring exhibition in Australia from June 2024.
What sets this event apart is the meticulous curation of Maier’s vintage prints, negatives, transparencies, and personal ephemera – a treasure trove awaiting avid art collectors, photography curators and exhibitors. As Sarahjane Blum, Heritage’s Director of Illustration Art, aptly puts it, “This auction is the first of its kind, focused exclusively on Maier and solely offering her vintage work.”
Provenance Ron Slattery
The provenance of this selection from the original collection of Vivian Maier’s prints in the verified collection of Ron Slattery, a Chicago-based collector who also won auctions of some of Maier’s photographs in her boxes and suitcases around the same time as John Maloof, who produced “Finding Vivian Maier”. These sold on 2 May 2024 via Heritage Auctions to 1EarthMedia
How many vintage prints by Vivian Maier exist? Of the three collections: The Prow-Goldstein-Europe cache has around 2,000 prints, Maloof Collection has over 3,000 vintage prints, and these offering by Slattery suggest that he has more to come.
Playdate, by Vivian Maier
Playdate, by Vivian Maier, circa 1950s, Gelatin silver print, 10-1/2 x 11-5/8 inches (26.7 x 29.5 cm) (image), 11 x 14 inches (sheet) sold for $1,500.00
Prepare to be enchanted by Maier’s unabashed exploration of a myriad of subjects and techniques. From intimate portraits to captivating street scenes, from breathtaking landscapes to experimental abstractions, Maier’s oeuvre knows no bounds. Each photograph is a testament to her keen eye for storytelling, inviting you to unravel the narratives woven within.
Of particular intrigue are Maier’s self-portraits, captured surreptitiously as she navigated bustling city streets. These candid glimpses into her world offer a profound insight into her seriousness and creativity as a photographer.
“Her ongoing self-portraits showed her seriousness and creativity as a photographer,” remarks Bannos. “And we can see, particularly early on, that she was interested in portraiture – of strangers and otherwise – as tightly framed people represent the bulk of her larger vintage prints.”
What truly sets Maier apart is her unyielding curiosity and fearlessness in capturing the world around her. From city park benches to sailors and grave diggers, Maier fearlessly ventured into uncharted territory, immortalizing moments that defy conventional norms.
In one set of images capturing a beach scene, the narrative unfolds intriguingly. Initially, we see two children positioned in front of what seems to be beauty pageant contestants clad in bathing suits. However, in the subsequent image, the focus shifts as two older gentlemen assume the same poses in the foreground.
This clever juxtaposition not only hints at the passage of time but also underscores Vivian Maier’s deliberate storytelling approach. Each photograph is imbued with intentionality, not only in its individual composition but also in the cohesive narrative that emerges when viewed as a series.
Beach Scene (2 works), by Vivian Maier, 1964 Dye coupler prints on Kodak paper 2-1/2 x 3-1/2 inches (6.4 x 8.9 cm) (sheets) Each with Kodak printer stamps, verso. Sold for $300.00 which is a sound investment. Don’t be surprised to see that flipped on eBay starting at $600
Intrigued? You’re in for a treat! As we researched our purchases of original Vivian Maier art prints at this auction, we uncovered her remarkable story. Vivian Maier’s photographs at this auction are a celebration of artistic brilliance, a portal to a bygone era brimming with intrigue and wonder, and are perfect examples of the enduring allure of collecting vintage photography.
Vivian Maier Photographs: A Singular Vision
Who was Vivian Maier?
Vivian Maier was a remarkable but enigmatic figure in the world of photography. Born in New York City in 1926 and raised in France and the United States, Maier spent much of her life working as a nanny in Chicago. However, unbeknownst to those around her, she possessed a deep passion for photography.
“Cocoon” by Vivian Maier,
Cocoon, by Vivian Maier, circa 1950s
Gelatin silver print 13-1/2 x 10-5/8 inches (34.3 x 27.0 cm) (image), 14 x 11 inches (sheet). Sold for $1,875.00
Fewer than 300 exhibition sized prints such as this are known to exist, and they demonstrate how she chose to present her work in her lifetime. Bannos reveals that Maier displayed particular care in how her photographs were developed, printed, and cropped, despite her deliberate decision never to exhibit it.
Maier’s extraordinary talent was discovered posthumously in 2007 when a Chicago-based historian and collector, John Maloof, stumbled upon a trove of her photographic negatives at a local auction house. Maloof was immediately captivated by the quality and breadth of Maier’s work, which spanned decades and encompassed a wide range of subjects, from street scenes to portraits and self-portraits.
In 2007, Vivian Maier didn’t keep up with payments for the storage space she had rented on Chicago’s North Side and her belongings were auctioned, including her collection, which included negatives, prints, audio recordings, and 8 mm film. Three photo collectors bought parts of her work: John Maloof, Ron Slattery and Randy Prow.
In early 2010, Chicago art collector Jeffrey Goldstein acquired a portion of the Maier collection from Prow. Goldstein’s collection has grown to include 17,500 negatives, 2,000 prints, 30 home movies, and numerous slides. In December 2014, Goldstein sold his collection of black and white negatives to Stephen Bulger Gallery, Toronto.
We asked Stephen Bulger what happened to the Prow-Goldstein collection and he replied “We sold the collection of B&W negatives by Vivian Maier we purchased from Jeffrey Goldstein to a buyer in Europe.” Mr Bulger did not provide details as to whether it was sold to a private collector or institution.
Maloof bought the largest part of Maier’s work, about 30,000 negatives and he later bought more from another buyer at the same auction. Maloof, curator of the Maloof Collection, currently possesses approximately 90% of Maier’s complete body of work, including 100,000 to 150,000 negatives, over 3,000 vintage prints, hundreds of film rolls, home movies, audio tape interviews, and assorted ephemera such as cameras and paperwork.
Despite her prolific output, Maier was largely unknown during her lifetime, never seeking recognition or fame for her photography. She worked primarily in obscurity, capturing everyday moments with a keen eye for composition and storytelling.
In the years following the discovery of her work, Vivian Maier has emerged as one of the most significant street photographers of the 20th century, revered for her unparalleled talent and unique perspective. Her photographs offer a glimpse into the lives of ordinary people, capturing the essence of urban life with honesty and compassion.
Today, Vivian Maier’s work is celebrated and exhibited around the world, cementing her legacy as a master of her craft and a true visionary in the world of photography.
Heritage Auctions publish a comprehensive “PERMISSION TO PUBLISH PHOTOGRAPHY” to cover the copyright of these Vivian Maier Photographs to accompany the story regarding A Singular Vision Showcase Auction. All images and video must be credited: Heritage Auctions, HA.com
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