Prostitute Playing Russian Billiards, Monmartre, 1933 / printed ca. 1965-70

Black-and-white photograph

Ed. 22/30

20 x 16, framed

Brassaï

[Born Hungary, 1899–1984]

A renowned French photographer, Brassaï focused on early 20th-century Parisian nightlife, documenting the people and places that defined the city's shadowy underbelly. In this exquisite example, a young woman stands frontally with a steady, calculated gaze that is simultaneously inviting and threatening. One of the first photographers to master the art of night photography, Brassaï is best known for his publication, Paris by Night. In 2000, the Centre Georges Pompidou (Paris, France) held a massive retrospective exhibition of his work.

This auction item is not available for shipment or pickup until the week of August 23, 2009. This work is on loan to MOCA Cleveland and will be included in an exhibition of selected works from the Marjorie and Anselm Talalay Collection at MOCA Cleveland, June 4 - August 16, 2009 (the "Exhibition"). Payment for this item is expected at the time of sale. Purchase of this item includes the agreement by the purchaser to loan item to MOCA Cleveland for inclusion in the Exhibition. Following completion of the auction, a loan form will be issued recognizing transfer of ownership and permission to exhibit the work at MOCA Cleveland.