Edward Steichen: The Early Years Portfolio, 1901-1927 Torso, Paris 1902 Start Price USD 400.00 Current Price USD 400.00 Time Left - Bid Count 0 Buy It Now Price - Reserve Price - Start Time Saturday, November 15, 2008 End Time Monday, December 15, 2008 Location Westport, Connecticut See more about 'Edward Steichen: The Early Years Portfolio, 1901-1927' Description Edward Steichen is an immortal among photographers. During the seven decades of his career, he advanced photography as an art form as well as a vital medium of visual communication.  His richest, most profound photographs were made between 1900 and 1927.  It is from this period that in 1969 he selected 12 masterpieces and, for his final photographic project, asked Aperture’s Michael Hoffman to attempt at that time what appeared to be impossible: publication of his prints as hand-pulled photogravures.Like his close colleague Alfred Stieglitz, Steichen understood the potential of photogravure and considered photogravure prints to be original works of art, in many cases the most faithful realization of the photographer’s intention.  It is no wonder then that he chose photogravure for his last great work.In the 70’s, Jon Goodman, already working to revive the photogravure process, teamed up with Richard Benson and Hoffman in an attempt to execute the exacting plates.  The painstaking task of printing the plates was accomplished, under Jon’s supervision, at the atelier de Taille Douce, Saint-Prex, Switzerland. Twelve years later, the portfolio was finished.   Of the twelve plates, three were made from Steichen’s original negatives – Torso (item offered here), Isadora Duncan and Three Pears.   Surprisingly, these portfolios sat in Aperture's inventory for years (was it possible that people just didn't realize that they were still available?).  This great portfolio is now virtually sold out, finally acknowledging that it is indeed an amazing achievement and a milestone in the history of photogravure.   Torso, Paris (1902)Steichen, Edward, b.1879-1973Early Years Portfolio, 1900-19276.5 x 8.3 inPhotogravure     Paper: 16" X 20"Image: 8 3/8" X 6 1/2"Hand-pulled dust-grain photogravureEdition of 500 and artist's proofs     Place a Bid!