Bidspirit auction | Nan Goldin : The Hug,

Nan Goldin : The Hug, New York City - Nan Goldin (American, b. 1953): The Hug, New York City. Sheet-fed Gravure printed in the early 1990's. Unsigned. Custom framed and matted. It portrays a young woman, in a green dress, standing next to a partially opened window. Blackness outside indicates that it is night. She stares directly at the camera positioned below her roughly at the level of her hands. A small, blue, portable radio is on the windowsill next to her. Closer to the camera, a dark blue glass vase holds a cluster of dried, reddish leaves. Their red colour echoes the red plastic bangle and intense red lipstick she wears. Her dress, made of a taffeta-like fabric, has the appearance of a thrift store find. It clearly belongs to an earlier era, such as the 1940s. Dressing up was an important part of Goldin's social life in the 1970s and early 1980s. Inspired by films and fashion magazines, she and her friends centered their lives on the creation and projection of glamorous new identities. Her earliest photographic work depicts room-mates and close friends in drag costume, either at home or in night clubs, first in Boston where Goldin grew up, and later in downtown New York where she moved in 1978. The majority of Goldin's images from this period are shot indoors and fuse intense colour with artificial light. In this particular portrait the use of a flash bulb has resulted in intense colour contrasts and dramatic shadows on the wall behind Vivienne's body creating a theatrical atmosphere. 15.25 x 12.25 inches framed; 9.25 x 6.25 inches print. Nan Goldin Excellent condition, no apparent flaws. Private collection, Boston. NOTE: If documentation is not listed, the lot is sold without documents. Please refer to our Terms and Conditions prior to bidding. Color fidelity of photos presented is not guaranteed. Lack of a condition statement does not imply that a lot is perfect. Please examine photos, read descriptions, and contact the Gallery with any questions prior to bidding. All sales are final.