Self portrait of Cindy as a young actress

[Pierre Tavlitzki]

Christie's New York offers on September 9, for $ 300 K, at lot 97, a nice photo of Cindy Sherman. It is a one of its kind 50x40 cm black and white photo, signed and dated 1978.

The title is significant: Untitled Film Still # 13. Wikipedia tells us that this early series of Sherman include about 80 images. Imitating the photographic prints made for promotion of feature films, Cindy already plays the dual role of photographer and model that will launch her glory. Taking the pretext of getting a book on a high shelf of a bookcase, the 24-year-old blonde displays herself in a pose at once serious and attractive.

Sherman has many admirers, sensitive to her imagery on woman's place in society. Always changing, she is both everyone and nobody.

The same auction house has already sold some Untitled Film Stills. On 17 October 2007, for $ 205 K, we saw her coming down the stairs of an official building (Still # 22, 70 x 88 cm, from an edition of 6). On following 14 November, for $ 187 K, we saw a brunette preparing her bag in her living room (Still # 12, 20 x 25 cm, from an edition of 10). The Still # 41, sold £ 85 K on October 16, shows her alone in an empty yard (60 x 92 cm, from an edition of 3).

Which of these young women is the "real" Cindy? None, and all. But the most beautiful is the # 13, the only of these four where you see her in close up. $ 300 K? Why not, I remind you that this photo is unique.

[Pierre Tavlitzki]

This photo was unique and exceptional. We appreciate that Christie's was fully aware of that when we look at the lot description in the catalog and at its presentation on the siteweb as the highlight of this first major sale of the season.

Buyers followed: 900 K$ including fees for this image representing what was best in the beginning of Sherman's career. It is an excellent result.