On Wednesday, June 19, 2024, at 2:00 p.m., Cambi Auction House presents an exclusive auction catalog, entirely dedicated to photography and the art of the snapshot. This unique event highlights iconic photographs and evocative images, ranging from classical masters to contemporary talents, carefully selected by our experts to offer collectors and enthusiasts a comprehensive and diverse selection.

Starting with shots from the mid-nineteenth century to Contemporary Art using photography. We can find shots by Man Ray from the 1920s, 1930s, rare X-rays; moving on to photographers who wrote the grammar of photography, such as Henri Cartier-Bresson of whom there will be several very important and very rare photographs. The whole school of Italian photography, then with Giacomelli, Ghirri, Piergiorgio Branzi. Artists who used photography in the 1970s to document Conceptual Art, such as Vaccari, Patella. Some international artists such as Ruff or Shirin Neshat, to contemporary photographers and photojournalists such as Paolo Pellegrin, and artists such as Luca Andreoni and Vanessa Beecroft.

The catalog boasts a very wide selection, including Lot 13, a later print of Robert Doisneau's legendary work, “Le baiser de l'Hôtel de Ville,” made in 1950. This silver salt gelatin print, measuring 50x40 cm, is estimated between €10,000.00 and €12,000.00, and is one of the most recognizable and beloved images in the history of photography.

Another outstanding piece is lot 59, which features a Polaroid by Robert Mapplethorpe, dated 1973, titled “PD109 - Self Portrait.” Measuring 7.3 x 9.5 cm, this work reflects the sensitivity and depth of the famous American photographer, and is estimated between €10,000.00 and €15,000.00.

Among the most important works, we also find lot 64, a work by Sebastião Salgado entitled “Antartica,” dating from 2005. This silver salt gelatin print, measuring 50.6 x 37.5 cm (image) and 60.8 x 50.6 cm (sheet), captures the majesty and fragility of Antarctic landscapes, with an estimate between € 5,000 and € 6,000.

Also very important is lot 58, which features a work by Vanessa Beecroft, “VB 40: Museum of Contemporary Art, Sydney, Australia, Performance vb40.068.vb.pol,” from 1999. This vibracolor print, measuring 74.5x92.5 cm (image) and 121.5x124.5 cm (sheet), offers a powerful reflection on performance art and human expression, with an estimate between €10,000.00 and €15,000.00.