Josef Ehm: Signed Portfolio of 18 Silver Gelatin Original Prints

This is a stunning portfolio of 18 original high quality silver gelatin prints by Josef Ehm entitled, “Profily/1: z praci mistru ceskoslovenske fotografie (Masterworks of Czech Photography” produced by Panorama Publishers, Prague in 1979. The collection features some of Ehms most important photographs highlighting his contributions to the New Objectivity movement. Ehm's work was the subject of an exhibition at Galerie Josefa Sudka in Prague in 2006 and the curator wrote, “Transformations of Czech visual culture of the interwar period are often connected with activities of Jaromir Funke, Josef Sudek and Ladislav Sutnar. Of no less importance was their generational peer, co-worker and friend Josef Ehm (1909-1989). In the years 1934-1946 he was a teacher at the State School of Graphic Art in Prague, where in 1935 he participated in preparation of the legendary book Photography Sees Surface. His artistic production is renowned for a unique combination of avant-garde creative methods and technical brilliance."

The photographs are printed on high grade paper that measure approximately 11.75” x 8” and are housed in a cardboard folio. Each photograph is numbered with a printed caption on the verso. Also included in the portfolio is a graphically illustrated title plate and a 27 page booklet with text and biographical notes by Peter Tausk (text in Czech, Russian, German, English, and French). The images are as follows:

1.   Lonely and Forlorn, 1938

2.   Gargoyle and Flying Butress System of St. Vitus Cathedral, 1947

3.   Clementinum Baroque Hall, 1947

4.   Forest Interior, 1946

5.   Portrait of Josef Sudek in St. Vitus" Cathedral, 1947

6.   Northern Front of the Czernin Palace in Prague, 1950

7.   Landscape near the Town Teplice, 1956

8.   Winter on the Campa Island, 1956

9.   Gothic and Baroque, 1957

10. Choir Ambulatory of St. Vitus" Cathedral, 1957

11. Winter, 1960

12. The Turk on Charles Bridge, 1962

13. Spring in Prague, 1963

14. Cupola of St. Nicholas" Chruch in Prague, 1964

15. On the Boarder of the Zizkov town-quarter, 1966

16. Castle Arcades on Zvivkov, 1967

17. I Was a Tree, 1967

18. Victory, 1976

The 18 silver gelatin prints are in FINE Condition. The cardboard portfolio cover is in Near Fine+ condition with minor creases to the extremities and faint discoloration to the front panel. Josef Ehm has signed and dated the booklet on the title page. Overall, this is a wonderful opportunity to obtain a very rare signed portfolio of 18 spectacular high quality silver gelatin original prints by Josef Ehm.

Photographs of the folio cover, the signature on the booklet, and examples of prints contained in the portfolio appear in the photo section of the listing.