SOL LIBSOHN (1914-2001) A selection of 6 photographs of New York City. Silver prints, the images measuring 4 1/4x6 1/2 to 13x9 inches (10.8x16.5 to 33x23 cm.), three with Libsohn's signature and three with a title in pencil or ink on verso. Circa 1940s-50s; two printed 1970s
Provenance: The Collection of Romana Javitz; by descent to the Present Owner
Romana Javitz (1903-80) was curator of The New York Public Library's Picture Collection from 1928-68, where she assembled one of the most historically important and artistically significant collections of 20th-century photographs. An early champion of photography who said "great photography ranks with great art," she established personal relationships with Libsohn as well as Dorothea Lange, Lewis Hine, and Berenice Abbott, encouraging artists to bring her work, which she subsequently purchased for the library. Libsohn, a self-taught photographer, co-founded the Photo League in 1936 with Sid Grossman. He was also employed by Roy Stryker for the Standard Oil Company documentary project and the Federal Art Project.
