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FROM THE COLLECTION OF W. EUGENE SMITH'S FAMILY
In 1952, I was a photographer in New York City and became acquainted with W. Eugene Smith while he was on the staff of LIFE magazine. I received a call from Gene explaining that LIFE had assigned him to shoot a story on Charlie Chaplin's upcoming movie Limelight in Los Angeles and he asked me to be his assistant on the project. I spent the next five weeks on location with Gene. His 'Limelight' photo-essay appeared in the March 17, 1952, issue of LIFE.
Gene gave me these four prints of Chaplin at work (lot 102), as well as another photograph from his extraordinary 'Spanish Village' photo-essay (lot 103), in gratitude for my help on the Limelight set. I believe they represent some of Gene's finest work from his years with LIFE. Margery 'Maggie' Smith
W. EUGENE SMITH (1918-1978)
Charlie Chaplin, from 'Limelight', 1952
Details
W. EUGENE SMITH (1918-1978)
Charlie Chaplin, from 'Limelight', 1952
4 gelatin silver prints
one signed in stylus (on the recto); credit in ink (on the verso)
image: varying sizes from 10 3/8 x 13½in. (26.5 x 34cm.) to 6½ x 4¾in. (16.5 x 11cm.) or the reverse
sheet: varying sizes from 11 x 14in. (28 x 35.4cm.) to 7 1/8 x 5in. (18 x 12.5cm.) or the reverse (4)
Charlie Chaplin, from 'Limelight', 1952
4 gelatin silver prints
one signed in stylus (on the recto); credit in ink (on the verso)
image: varying sizes from 10 3/8 x 13½in. (26.5 x 34cm.) to 6½ x 4¾in. (16.5 x 11cm.) or the reverse
sheet: varying sizes from 11 x 14in. (28 x 35.4cm.) to 7 1/8 x 5in. (18 x 12.5cm.) or the reverse (4)
Provenance
From the artist;
to Margery Smith
to Margery Smith
Literature
'Chaplin at Work,' Life, vol. 32, no. 11, March 17, 1952, p. 119
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