Titles include: Red osier. Near Great Barrington, Massachusetts. April 18, 1957; Path in woods. Great Spruce Head Island, Maine. 1981; Hawkweed in meadow. Great Spruce Head Island, Maine. 1968; Tidal marsh. Mount Desert Island, Maine. August 4, 1965; Maple leaves and pine needles. Tamworth, New Hampshire. October 3, 1956; Sunflower and sandune. Colorado. 1959; Sculptured rock. Marble Canyon, Arizona. 1967; Maple sapling and rock. Passaconaway, New Hampshire. 1953; Pool in a brook. Pond Brook, near Whiteface, New Hampshire, October, 1953; Sunset behind Las Tres Virgenes Volcano. Near Mezquital, Baja, California, August 12, 1966
About the Collector:
With a life-long passion for collecting, spurred by an intense, intellectual curiosity for art, Jeffrey M. Kaplan’s collection transcends classification and speaks to his devotion to all things cultural. Driven by an innate interest in learning about different cultures and ways of life, the photographs in his collection illustrate key moments and movements throughout the history of the medium, unified by the overarching theme of one man’s collecting journey.
The photographs on offer, lots 271-286, include works by leaders in the field, thus demonstrating Kaplan’s deep knowledge and keen awareness of the medium. From Alfred Stieglitz, and his selections for Camera Work, to Ansel Adams and Berenice Abbott, the classic is balanced by the contemporary with an equally impressive selection of works by Robert Mapplethorpe, Alec Soth and Robert Polidori. Kaplan’s particular affinity for Mapplethorpe is evident in the six lots on offer which show the photographer’s incredible depth and include the stunning dye transfer print, Flowers in Vase; the iconic photograph of Thomas that was selected by Patti Smith to grace the cover of Robert Mapplethorpe, her 1987 book on the photographer; and Wheat, a still-life that shows a masterful range of tonality.
This diverse selection reflects Kaplan’s constant interest in acquiring works that peaked his intellect, while offering the thrill that drives the most devoted of collectors.