The grandeur of nature is most striking when humanity, having conquered the feat of scaling mountains, takes on the equally formidable challenge of capturing them through the lens. This spirit is epitomized by Vittorio Sella (lot 318), whose life was shaped by his dual passions for mountaineering and photography. Sella was a pioneer, credited with defining the concept of photo-alpinism as he traversed remote mountain ranges across Asia and Africa. The early 20th century presented significant challenges: cumbersome view cameras and fragile glass plate negatives were the tools of his trade. Yet, despite these limitations, Sella managed to convey the breathtaking spectacle of the natural world, as exemplified by the image presented here of the waterfall in Val Formazza.
In the 1930s, many photographers followed in Sella’s footsteps, inspired by his achievements and his ability to capture the majesty of the high mountains. Cesare Giulio (lots 158, 159), a Torinese and active member of the C.A.I. (Italian Alpine Club), founded the Fotogruppo Alpino, with his work featured in the esteemed magazine Luci e Ombre. Alessio Nebbia (lots 265, 266), originally from Asti and well-known in Courmayeur for establishing the Bottega d’Arte Alpina, where he sold his work, was another notable figure. Giacinto Oriani (lot 270), from Novara, also made significant contributions to the field, alongside Swiss photographers such as Lorenzo Steineman (lot 333), Andreas Pedrett (lot 278), and Albert Steiner (lot 334). Steiner, in particular, distinguished himself with a level of mastery and artistic insight that set his work apart and remains impressive to this day.
Lot 333. Lorenzo Steinemann. Senza titolo (Centovalli, Svizzera), 1950s. Estimate € 150 – 250.
Two Italian photographers of particular note for collectors are Domenico Riccardo Peretti Griva (lots 279–283) and Riccardo Moncalvo (lots 237–246). Peretti Griva, a true master of pictorialism, is renowned for his exquisite bromoil prints. Meanwhile, Moncalvo’s works showcased here provide a glimpse into his expansive and versatile vision.
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