Michael Joseph (1941-) - Courage, authentic darkroom print

My First Beer, Poster – Courage, London, 1960s Original vintage silver gelatin photograph by Michael Joseph Signed and titled by the photographer A gloriously eccentric piece of 1960s British advertising photography by Michael Joseph, created for Courage beer. An elderly woman, magnificently dressed in a feather boa, floral hat, pearls and pince-nez spectacles, raises an enormous glass of John Courage beer towards the camera. Her wonderfully deadpan expression - somewhere between suspicion, determination and quiet mischief - makes the photograph instantly memorable. Michael Joseph was particularly adept at turning commercial commissions into miniature pieces of theatre, and this image is a superb example. Shot from extremely close range, the oversized glass dominates the foreground while the sitter's extraordinary face, costume and textures fill the frame. The result is humorous, slightly surreal and unmistakably British. The contrast is particularly beautiful: dark porter, gleaming glass, weathered face, delicate spectacles and an explosion of pale feathers. It is an advertising photograph with enormous personality - the product is clearly present, yet it is the character who steals the picture. This is an authentic vintage darkroom print from Michael Joseph's own archive, rather than a later reproduction. It bears Michael Joseph's period studio label on the reverse: “Michael Joseph – 18 West Central St – London WC1 – Temple 0444.” The bit of picture that was cut from the bottom is taped to the reverse of the mount, giving the piece additional archive character and offering a glimpse into the physical working life of Joseph's London studio. The mount size is 50cm high by 40cm wide. The front is personally inscribed: “Marie McKina”, “My 1st Beer Poster” and signed by Michael Joseph. A wonderfully characterful survivor from the golden age of British advertising - and an original photograph that combines humour, portraiture, social history and vintage beer culture in a single unforgettable image. Please note that an AI-generated simulation showing the photograph framed and displayed on a wall has been included purely to illustrate how the work might look in an interior setting. Scale and proportions are approximate and the simulation is intended as a visual guide only. The photograph is sold unframed. Thank you for your understanding.

Estimación:€750

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