Michael Joseph (1941-) - Nivea now in tubs - blue

Michael Joseph (1941– ) Nivea – Now in Tubs Unique Original Blue-Toned Darkroom Print – Hand-Printed and Signed by Michael Joseph Photographer: Michael Joseph Original photograph: 1980s Medium: Original glossy photographic print, individually produced and blue-toned by Michael Joseph in his own darkroom Signature: Hand-signed by the photographer Presentation: Silver-coloured photographic mount Print creation: Michael Joseph's darkroom, Clapham, London Edition: Unique (1/1) in this particular size and colour treatment Mount dimensions: 30 × 40 cm Provenance: Directly from the Michael Joseph family photographic archive An Iconic Advertising Image, Reimagined in Blue One of the most recognisable photographs from Michael Joseph's celebrated Nivea Now in Tubs campaign, this extraordinary original darkroom print transforms a familiar advertising image into something altogether more mysterious, intimate and artistic. A solitary female figure sits at the edge of a bath, her profile delicately illuminated against a softly marbled background. Rendered in rich, atmospheric blue-grey tones, the composition possesses an almost ethereal quality, balancing elegance, sensuality and quiet introspection. The graceful silhouette feels sculptural, while the subtle variations of tone created through Michael Joseph's experimental darkroom processing lend the photograph a painterly depth and individuality quite unlike a conventional commercial reproduction. The Story Behind the Photograph Created during the mid-1980s for Nivea's transition from tubes to tubs, this image belongs to one of Michael Joseph's most memorable advertising commissions. Yet the story behind its creation is delightfully characteristic of the photographer's humour. While viewers might imagine elaborate artistic symbolism behind the model's elegant pose, Michael recalled a rather more practical explanation: the model had what he affectionately described as “knobbly knees”, and the advertising agency preferred a composition that did not feature them too prominently! What might have begun as a practical decision became an enduringly elegant and memorable advertising image. It is precisely this combination of ingenuity, humour and extraordinary visual instinct that distinguished Michael Joseph's photographic career. A Unique Darkroom Experiment This particular print is especially interesting because it was produced personally by Michael Joseph in his Clapham darkroom, rather than being a later reproduction. Working with traditional photographic materials and experimental blue-toning techniques, he transformed the original advertising photograph into a distinctive artwork with its own character and atmosphere. The glossy surface, unusual colouration and subtle tonal variations are characteristic of individually produced darkroom work. Unlike a modern digital print, this photograph is a tangible product of the photographer's own experimentation with photographic chemistry, exposure and colour. To our knowledge, no other print exists in precisely this combination of size and blue colouration. The photograph is personally signed by Michael Joseph, providing a direct connection to the artist and his original working practice. Presentation and Condition - Please Read Carefully The original photograph is presented in a silver-coloured mount, which beautifully complements the blue-grey tones of the image. Important condition disclosure: The silver-coloured mount displays visible creases and surface marks, particularly along the right-hand side. As shown clearly in the accompanying close-up photograph, there is a noticeable fine, irregular horizontal crease across the right section of the mount, together with a further crease or pressure mark lower down. These marks affect the mount rather than the photographic image itself, as far as can be determined from the visible presentation. They are disclosed openly so that prospective buyers can assess the condition accurately before bidding. The mount is part of the photograph's existing presentation and has been retained rather than replaced. A future owner could, of course, choose to have the photograph professionally remounted if a more pristine presentation were preferred. The print and its original presentation should be appreciated as an authentic archival object, with characteristics reflecting its history and handling over the intervening decades. Please examine all photographs carefully, particularly the detailed image showing the creases in the silver-coloured mount. Provenance and Authenticity The photograph comes directly from the Michael Joseph family archive. The reverse retains archival markings and a Michael Joseph studio label, providing further context for its provenance. Michael Joseph, perhaps best known for his iconic photographs for the Rolling Stones' Beggars Banquet album, was one of Britain's most imaginative advertising photographers, active from the 1960s through to the early 1990s. His work combined meticulous technical expertise with theatrical composition, visual humour and an unmistakable sense of originality. This print offers collectors something particularly special: not merely an example of one of his celebrated advertising images, but a glimpse into his own experimental darkroom practice. A Rare Opportunity for Collectors An original, hand-signed photographic print, personally produced and unusually blue-toned by Michael Joseph himself. A celebrated image from an important British advertising campaign, presented in a distinctive and apparently unique darkroom interpretation. Not a modern reproduction. Not a contemporary reprint. An original photographic object, created by the photographer's own hand. Despite the disclosed creases in the silver-coloured mount, the photograph remains a particularly appealing piece of Michael Joseph's photographic history. One image. One distinctive darkroom treatment. One surviving example in this particular size and colouration. Offered directly from the photographer's family archive. Dispatch: Carefully packed flat between rigid protective boards, with particular attention to protecting the photographic surface and existing mount. As always, this one-off historical piece will be prepared for its journey with great care and respect.

Estimation:€500

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