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AARON SISKIND (1903-1991)
Portfolio entitled
Tabernacle City 1935-1939.
Complete with 12 photographs, each an architectural
study at Martha’s Vineyard (Oak Bluffs, Massachusetts.) Silver prints, the images measuring
approximately 8
7
/
8
x6
7
/
8
inches (22.5x17.5 cm.), and the reverse, the sheets 10x8 inches (25.4x20.3
cm.), each with Siskind’s signature, the notationT.C., and the date, in ink, on recto, and an additional
T.C. notation, in pencil, on verso; each individually matted. Large folio-sized maroon clamshell box
with a gilt-lettered leather title label; the title page a plain board with Siskind’s signature, title, dates,
edition notation 6/6, and other notations, in ink, all in Siskind’s hand; contents loose as issued. Self-
published, 1935-39; printed 1970s
[8,000/12,000]
Tabernacle City
bridges Siskind’s early interest in documentary photography and his renowned
abstractions from the 1940s and 50s.The photographs in this set are both formally representational and
artfully, poetically constructed, revealing strong abstract relationships, emotive shapes and shadows,
and quietly muscular architecture.The set’s publication came at a time when Siskind was revisiting
much of his earlier work. In 1975 he was one of a few photographers to donate his archive to form
the Center for Creative Photography in Tucson, Arizona.