Photography

The Department that organizes auctions of photographs was born in 2008 and has since become a reference point for collectors and photographs lovers. But the growth of the Photography Department has become obvious starting in 2018, assisted by the success and attention that photography enjoys on international markets. Photography has gained, in the last few decades, more and more space in important private art collections, art galleries and museums of contemporary art. Although photography is not the product of human imagination, but a record on paper of the interaction between light and matter, it represents a type of artwork that is increasingly appreciated by young collectors and investors. Photography is collected for passion, as is often the case with historical images or pictures representing famous people and important moments in time, but also as an investment, especially for contemporary photography.

Speaking of historical photography, that was produced between the Nineteenth Century and the middle of the Twentieth Century, is printed on paper treated with silver salts and documents the reality of the historical, cultural and social context of the period. The works selected for the photography auctions include rare Nineteenth Century daguerreotypes, prints by the fathers of photography such as Edward Steichen and Alfred Stieglitz, and masters of the Italian photography school such as Gabriele Basilico, Gianni Berengo Gardin and Mario Giacomelli.

As for the contemporary photography, on the other hand, is produced using modern conventional techniques; its intent is no longer that of documenting facts that occur, and artistic and aesthetic divulgation is rather preferred. Contemporary photography can also be used as an artistic means of expression by artists who aren't necessarily photographers. Particular attention is paid to international contemporary artists such as Sebastião Salgado, Andreas Gursky, Nobuyoshi Araki, Andrea Serrano, Cindy Sherman and Nan Goldin, often present in our photography sales. Cambi Auction House organizes two main photography auctions yearly, other than the timed online auctions dedicated to this sector.

Experts in the Department of Photography are available to those wishing to purchase fine art photography at auction, offering personalized advice on how to start or complete their collections. Cambi Auction House offers personalized services to those that would like to sell photographs at auction, with the guarantee of making the most of the art in their possession. We offer free valuations for photographs that you wish to sell at auction. Contact us today, selling photography and art with Cambi Auction House is easy, fast and profitable.