Frederick Sommer 1905-1999
Livia, 1948, Printed Later
8”x10” silver gelatin contact print
Livia is Frederick Sommer's portrait of a young girl living in Prescott, AZ in 1948, who first came to his attention through a friend, Crest Baumgartner. Lydia (her actual name)...
Livia is Frederick Sommer's portrait of a young girl living in Prescott, AZ in 1948, who first came to his attention through a friend, Crest Baumgartner. Lydia (her actual name) was placed on a platform, so she was eyelevel with the camera, and the found background was propped up behind her. Sommer, who was six-feet tall, recalled her looking up at him while trying to remain still for the exposure.
The image was reproduced in the 1950 U.S. Camera Annual (p. 252) where the photographic data is recorded as: 8x10, 19' Goerz Red Dot Apochromatic Artar using orthochromatic film, 1/2-second exposure at f/32, prints on chloride paper.
The image was reproduced in the 1950 U.S. Camera Annual (p. 252) where the photographic data is recorded as: 8x10, 19' Goerz Red Dot Apochromatic Artar using orthochromatic film, 1/2-second exposure at f/32, prints on chloride paper.
Provenance
Private Collection, Los Angeles.From the collection of Nancy Richardson