79: WILLIAM GARNETT (1916-2006) PENCIL SIGNED PHOTOGRAPH

William Garnett (1916-2006)
Sand Dune #9, Death Valley, California (1954)
The silver gelatin print is signed by the artist in pencil lower right on the mount.

William Garnett is an acclaimed American photographer known for his pioneering work in aerial photography. He used smaller planes to capture his striking, sometimes abstract, images from above, emphasizing the patterns, textures and forms of the natural environment.

The following is a quote by the artist found on Wikipedia, ''I was discharged and heard you could hitchhike on the transport taking GIs home. The airplane was full, but the captain let me sit in the navigator's seat so I had a command view. I was amazed at the variety and beauty of these United States. I had never seen anything like that-in a book, in school, or since then. So I changed my career.''

He won three Guggenheim Fellowships to aid in pursuing his passion, and went on to write a number of books. His work was featured in a great number of exhibitions both during his life and posthumously. Acclaim came early on with exhibitions at the Museum of Modern Art as early as 1955, just ten years after that ride home in the navigator's seat. Garnett's work is held in numerous museum collections and the subject of shows even today.
Image measures 19.5 x 15.75 with a framed size of 31.25 x 25.25 inches.
Very fine to pristine condition. Examination under strong, reflective, raking light confirms that there are no issues to any degree. The emulsion area is flawless with no signs of damage or deterioration. No silvering, discoloration, cracking, peeling, stain, spotting or restoration. The mounts are very fine to pristine as well; very clean and free from stain, smudge, discoloration, scratches or indentations.
Provenance: Private collection - Fort Collins, Colorado, obtained from the world's top fine art photography galleries.
$2,000 - $3,000