W. Eugene Smith (American, 1918-1978) Mad Hands, Haiti, 1959 Gelatin silver print, printed circa 1966 13-3/4 x 8-5/8 inches (34.9 x 22.0 cm) (image) 20 x 16 inches (mount) Signed in stylus in the image. Signed and inscribed 'Bernie, I give you this (these) with my thanks and apologies' in pencil, mount recto. Two photographer's copyright credit stamps, mount verso. LITERATURE: W. Johnson and J. Enyeart, W. Eugene Smith: Master of the Photographic Essay, Aperture, NY, 1981, pl. 27:038; Let Truth Be The Prejudice: W. Eugene Smith, His Life and Photographs, Philadelphia Museum of Art, 1986, np. "Suffering is a recurring theme in Smith's work, and one suspects in his life as well. In his work there is cruelty and compassion, selfishness and selflessness, strength and vulnerability. Smith brings us face to face with that next instant, that frightening, and at times exciting, reminder that with a snap of the finger, life could be changed forever." (Stephen White, Introduction, W. Eugene Smith, A Photographic Notebook) Smith described the pictures he made in Haiti as "My best unpublished essay." Some of his photographs, including this compelling image, were taken in a lunatic asylum just outside Port-au-Prince and witness to the horrifying conditions he found there. HID12401132022 © 2024 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved