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Unidentified photographer
Harpsichordist Wanda Landowska and her circle
n.d.
Gelatin silver print
Larry Gottheim, Be-hold, Inc
Courtesy of Larry Gottheim (Auction: March 13, 2008, 51, part 2 / lot 104)
LL/27763
Landowska, born in Poland in 1879, was a major artist who popularized the harpsichord (she used a larger instrument than was later to become more standard) and scholar of early music. Her presentations of Bach's "Goldberg Variations" (she made the first recording) were extremely influential. Before WWII she lived and taught in Paris, and frequented the lesbian-oriented artistic salon of Natalie Clifford Barney. During the Nazi period she emigrated to the US where she widely performed and taught, until her death in 1959. This is a private collection of material belonging to one of her protégés, with several endorsed to "Kati" in the 1950's (one by Denise Restout, Landowska's disciple and companion.).There are 9 photographs of W.L. at her instrument (2 with damage). 3 other portraits, 7 personal snapshots and a small album with 15 snapshots, most in color. In addition there are 7 early postcards from France and Russia with photographic images, drawings and a silhouette. Aside from the few damaged ones, most are [3] to [4-].
In addition, the collection also contains 5 photographs of pianists. 3 are of Felicia Blumenthal, another Polish emigré who was in the circle of W.L. in New York. She died in 1991. These are from the 1980's. One, by Bruno of Hollywood, has an elaborate endorsement, plus one of her daughter with Arthur Rubenstein. Final portrait is of Josef and Rosina Lhevinne.
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