Phillips is set to become the new home for a collection of dye transfers from William Eggleston’s most trusted printers, Guy Stricherz and Irene Malli. This sale marks a significant moment in the art world, offering collectors a rare opportunity to acquire truly unique works of art.
Dye Transfers From William Eggleston‘s Most Trusted Printers Head to Phillips
The sale of dye transfers from William Eggleston‘s most trusted printers, ‘Guy Stricherz and Irene Malli,’ is a significant moment in the art world. This auction marks the first in a series of sales from the master printers’ collection, set to unfold throughout 2025.
William Eggleston is an American photographer known for his innovative use of color in photography.
Born in 1939, Eggleston's work often captures the mundane and everyday scenes of 'American life.'
He is particularly famous for his color photographs, which challenge traditional notions of black-and-white photography.
Eggleston's influence can be seen in many contemporary photographers, and he has been recognized with numerous awards, including a Guggenheim Fellowship.
His photographs are held in high regard by museums and collectors worldwide.
A Groundbreaking Exploration of Color
William Eggleston‘s photographs have long been celebrated for their innovative use of color. With Stricherz and Malli as his trusted printers, he was able to push the boundaries of color photography like never before. The dye transfer technique allowed Eggleston to achieve rich saturation and tonal depth, demonstrating the power of color in fine art photography.
Color photography has a rich history dating back to the mid-19th century.
In 1841, Louis Daguerre developed the first color photographic process, but it was not until 1907 that autochrome plates were introduced, allowing for more widespread use of color photography.
Kodachrome film , introduced in 1935, further popularized color photography.
Today, digital cameras and advanced software enable photographers to capture high-quality color images with ease.
Los Alamos: A Monumental Portfolio
Leading the auction is Eggleston‘s monumental portfolio ‘Los Alamos,’ a definitive master set of his work from 1965 to 1974. Consisting of 101 photographs, this series embodies Eggleston‘s relentless pursuit of color’s potential in photography. The portfolio was created during Eggleston‘s travels across the American South, capturing quintessential moments of life and identity in the region.
Los Alamos is a town in New Mexico, USA, known for its significant role in the development of the atomic bomb during World War II.
In 1943, the US government established the Los Alamos Laboratory to house the Manhattan Project's secret research and development facility.
Under the direction of J. Robert Oppenheimer, a team of scientists worked tirelessly to design and build the first nuclear weapons.
The laboratory played a crucial role in the creation of the atomic bomb, which was tested at the nearby Trinity Site in 1945.
Expertise and Collaboration
Stricherz and Malli played a crucial role in Eggleston‘s exploration of color. With their expertise in the dye transfer process, they were able to help Eggleston achieve his vision for each photograph. ‘For that project, Eggleston used color negative film of various types,’ ‘Stricherz and Malli explained.’ ‘This required us to make special separation positives. Each set of separation positives took an entire day to make and required special treatment methods.’
A Rare Opportunity
The sale represents a rare opportunity for collectors to acquire Eggleston‘s photographs in the format that defined his revolutionary approach to color. Since Kodak ceased the manufacture of dye transfer materials in 1994, no new works in this process can ever be produced. This makes the dye transfers from Stricherz and Malli‘s collection truly unique.
Notable Works
Some of the marquee lots in the sale include ‘Magnificent Seven,’ a collection of some of the largest dye transfer prints of Eggleston‘s most iconic images. Among them are legendary photographs like ‘Memphis (Tricycle)’ (1969) and ‘Greenwood, Mississippi (Red Ceiling)’ (1973). These works showcase Eggleston‘s ability to seize the decisive moment and distill the essence of an entire lived experience.
A Strong Market
The timing of the sale is particularly fortuitous for Eggleston‘s market. Coming on the heels of his recent auction record of $1.44 million, set at Christie’s New York last November by ‘Untitled, c. 1971-1974 (2012),’ this sale is expected to attract significant attention from collectors and enthusiasts alike.
Conclusion
The sale of dye transfers from William Eggleston‘s most trusted printers, Guy Stricherz and Irene Malli, marks a significant moment in the art world. With its focus on color photography and the innovative use of the dye transfer technique, this auction is a rare opportunity for collectors to acquire truly unique works of art.
