Leitz Photographica Auction will host a special event featuring 120 significant photographs to mark the 100th anniversary of the first commercially available 35mm camera, the Leica I. The auction, named "Motion," is scheduled for October 30 at the Leica Gallery Vienna. One of the highlighted works, a 1925 print by Edward Weston, is expected to sell for as much as €250,000.
Key Takeaways
- Event: The "Motion" auction will be held on October 30 at the Leica Gallery Vienna.
- Occasion: The auction celebrates the 100th anniversary of the Leica I camera, which was introduced in 1925.
- Top Lot: Edward Weston's 1925 photograph "Nude Study (Anita)" is estimated to sell for between €200,000 and €250,000 (nearly $300,000).
- Collection: The sale includes 120 works from iconic photographers of the 20th and 21st centuries, including Ansel Adams and Henri Cartier-Bresson.
Celebrating a Century of 35mm Photography
The upcoming "Motion" auction is a central part of Leica's year-long celebration marking the centenary of the Leica I camera. Introduced in 1925, the Leica I revolutionized the world of photography. Its compact, lightweight design made it highly portable, allowing photographers to capture moments with unprecedented speed and spontaneity.
This innovation stood in stark contrast to the bulky, slow large-format cameras that dominated the era. The Leica I effectively ushered in a new age of dynamic, candid photography, and its influence continues to be felt a century later. The auction's theme, "Motion," honors this legacy by featuring works that capture social and aesthetic change.
A Transformative Invention
Before the Leica I, photography was often a stationary and deliberate process. The camera's ability to fit in a jacket pocket and be ready for immediate use gave photographers new freedom. This shift is credited with enabling the rise of photojournalism and street photography, fundamentally changing how the world was documented.
Highlight of the Auction: Edward Weston's Masterpiece
The leading lot in the auction is a vintage print of "Nude Study (Anita)," created by American photographer Edward Weston in 1925. The photograph is one of Weston's most famous works and is expected to attract significant attention from collectors, with a pre-sale estimate of €200,000 to €250,000.
Interestingly, while the auction celebrates the 35mm format, Weston's piece was created using a large-format camera. Its inclusion highlights a pivotal moment in art history. The year 1925 not only saw the birth of the Leica I but also marked a period of transition toward photographic modernism, a movement in which Weston was a key figure.
"We are offering a rare vintage print of this iconic nude study — a work distinguished not only by its formal radicalism, but also by its year of creation, which both resonates with the Leica anniversary and signifies the threshold to photographic modernism," said Caroline Guschelbauer, Head of Photographs at Leitz Photographica Auction.
A Roster of Legendary Photographers
The "Motion" auction presents a curated selection of works spanning multiple eras of photography. The collection reads like a who's who of the medium's most influential artists. Bidders will have the opportunity to acquire prints from pioneers and modern masters alike.
Early and Mid-20th Century Icons
The sale features works from photographers who defined the early and middle decades of the 20th century. These artists explored new visual languages and documented defining moments in history. Notable names include:
- Ansel Adams
- Walker Evans
- Henri Cartier-Bresson
- August Sander
- Brassaï
- Elliott Erwitt
- Helmut Newton
Featured Lots and Estimates
- Ansel Adams - Mount Williamson, from Manzanar, Sierra Nevada, California 1944. Estimate: €7,000 – €8,000.
- Otto Steinert - Ein-Fuß-Gänger, Paris 1950. Estimate: €20,000 – €25,000.
- Howard L. Bingham - Muhammed Ali after knocking Sonny Liston, 1965. Estimate: €2,200 – €2,600.
- Joel Meyerowitz - Florida, 1978. Estimate: €10,000 – €14,000.
Contemporary and Modern Artists
The auction also extends into the post-war and contemporary periods, showcasing photographers who continued to push the boundaries of the medium. The collection includes pieces by artists such as Garry Winogrand, Joel Meyerowitz, and Harry Callahan. Modern photography is represented by influential figures like Hiroshi Sugimoto, Nan Goldin, and Nobuyoshi Araki, ensuring the auction reflects the full scope of photography's evolution.
According to Alexander Sedlak, Managing Director of Leitz Photographica Auction, the selection reflects the diversity of photographic expression. "I am very pleased that this carefully curated selection once again reflects the diversity of photographic expression, while staying true to our mission of sharing the fascination of photography with enthusiasts, connoisseurs, and collectors," he stated.
Auction Details and How to Participate
The live auction will take place on October 30 at 6:30 PM CET (1:30 PM EDT). For those unable to attend in person at the Leica Gallery Vienna, participation is available through online and telephone bidding.
A preview of the highlighted lots will be on display at the gallery starting October 17, giving potential buyers a chance to view the works up close. The complete online catalog is currently available on the Leitz Photographica Auction website, where pre-bidding has already commenced.
Guschelbauer added that the event underscores the auction house's commitment to high-quality, historically significant works. "With this century auction, Leitz Photographica Auction highlights its commitment to curating works of museum quality, historical significance, and lasting collectability — an offering that speaks both to seasoned collectors and to newcomers with a passion for art," she concluded.