Max Yavno Paintings & Artwork for Sale | Max Yavno Art Value Price Guide

Oct. 23, 2024
Max Yavno "Garage Doors" Gelatin Silver Print
Est: $2,000 - $4,000
Max Yavno (American, 1911-1985), "Garage Doors, San Francisco", Gelatin Silver Print, 1947, printed by Max Yavno, inscribed "from the personal collection of Max Yavno", along with estate stamp to verso, burlwood frame. Image: 10.75" H x 13" W; frame: 20" H x 22.5" W. Provenance: From the 50 East 89th Street estate of a 20th century photography collector. Reputedly purchased from Laurence Miller Gallery, New York, August 1995. Keywords: Photography, Architecture, California, Buildings, Modern Art, Black and white photography, Industiral, Architecture, Monochromatic, Vintage
Auctions at Showplace
Aug. 22, 2024
Max Yavno (American, 1911-1985) View (from Twin Peaks, San Francisco), 1947, later printed circa 1975
Est: $800 - $1,200
Max Yavno (American, 1911-1985) View (from Twin Peaks, San Francisco), 1947, later printed circa 1975 gelatin silver print laid down to matboard pencil signed to mount sheet: 11 ¼ x 19 ¼ in. (28.6 x 48.9cm)
Freeman’s | Hindman
Aug. 20, 2024
Max Yavno (American, 1911-1985) Sports Gelatin Silver Print (Los Angeles)
Est: $500 - $1,500
DESCRIPTION: Max Yavno (American, 1911-1985) Gelatin silver print, (printed later) Untitled, from the Los Angeles Documentary Project, 1979-1980, Pencil signed (Lower Right) 'Yavno' backed by board, mounted in frame. CIRCA: 20th Cent. ORIGIN: USA DIMENSIONS: (Image) H: 15.5" x L: 19.25" (Frame) H: 22.25" x L: 28.25" CONDITION: Fractures to glass, print in great overall condition. Unless otherwise stated, all information provided is the opinion of our specialists. Should you have any specific questions regarding the condition of this lot, please use the ask question button or send us an email.
Akiba Galleries
Jul. 19, 2024
Photograph, Max Yavno
Est: $2,000 - $4,000
Max Yavno (American, 1911–1985), San Francisco, 1947, gelatin silver print (mounted on mat board), signed in pencil (on mat) lower right, sheet: 13.5"h x 10.5"w, overall (with mat/unframed): 20"h x 15"w
Clars Auctions
Jul. 19, 2024
Photograph, Max Yavno
Est: $2,000 - $4,000
Max Yavno (American, 1911-1985), "Muscle Beach (1949)," gelatin silver print, signed lower right, later printing, image: 7.81"h x 13.38"w, overall (with frame): 15.5"h x 19.75"w. Provenance: Estate of Professor Raymond Lifchez (Berkeley, California)
Clars Auctions
Jul. 10, 2024
Max Yavno, Morocco
Est: $700 - $900
Max Yavno Morocco 1982 vintage gelatin silver print image: 7 h x 9.5 w in (18 x 24 cm) sheet: 8 h x 10 w in (20 x 25 cm) Signed, titled and dated to verso 'Max Yavno Morocco 1982'. Provenance: Collection of Susan and G. Ray Hawkins, Beverly Hills This work will ship from Los Angeles, California.
Los Angeles Modern Auctions
Jul. 10, 2024
Max Yavno, The Sphinx and Great Pyramid
Est: $800 - $1,200
Max Yavno The Sphinx and Great Pyramid 1979 gelatin silver print image: 15.5 h x 19.25 w in (39 x 49 cm) mount: 22 h x 28 w in (56 x 71 cm) Signed to mount 'Yavno'. Literature: The Photography of Max Yavno, Maddow, pl. 69 This work will ship from Los Angeles, California.
Los Angeles Modern Auctions
Jul. 10, 2024
Max Yavno, Sunday, Downtown Brooklyn, NY
Est: $800 - $1,200
Max Yavno Sunday, Downtown Brooklyn, NY c. 1941 / printed later gelatin silver print image: 9.875 h x 13.375 w in (25 x 34 cm) mount: 9.875 h x 15.875 w in (25 x 40 cm) Signed and inscribed to mount 'Yavno, For George'. Provenance: Gift from the artist | Estate of George Green, Los Angeles | Private Collection, Los Angeles Literature: The Photography of Max Yavno, Maddow, pl. 7 This work will ship from Los Angeles, California.
Los Angeles Modern Auctions
Jul. 10, 2024
Max Yavno, Winter, 16th Street, Old New York
Est: $800 - $1,200
Max Yavno Winter, 16th Street, Old New York c. 1940 / printed later gelatin silver print image: 10.375 h x 13.125 w in (26 x 33 cm) mount: 15.75 h x 19 w in (40 x 48 cm) Signed to mount 'Yavno'. Provenance: Estate of George Green, Los Angeles | Private Collection, Los Angeles Literature: The Photography of Max Yavno, Yavno, pl. 5 This work will ship from Los Angeles, California.
Los Angeles Modern Auctions
May. 16, 2024
MAX YAVNO (1911-1985) San Francisco street scene.
Est: $2,500 - $3,500
MAX YAVNO (1911-1985) San Francisco street scene. Silver print, the image measuring 13⅜x10½ inches (34x26.7 cm.), the mount 20x15 inches (50.8x38.1 cm.), with Yavno's signature in pencil on mount recto. 1947
Swann Auction Galleries
May. 16, 2024
MAX YAVNO (1911-1985) Muscle Beach, Los Angeles.
Est: $4,000 - $6,000
MAX YAVNO (1911-1985) Muscle Beach, Los Angeles. Silver print, the image measuring 11¾x19¼ inches (29.8x48.9 cm.), the mount 16¾x24 inches (42.5x61 cm.), with Yavno's signature in pencil on mount recto. 1949; printed 1970s
Swann Auction Galleries
May. 05, 2024
Max Yavno "Garage Doors" Gelatin Silver Print
Est: $2,000 - $4,000
Max Yavno (American, 1911-1985), "Garage Doors, San Francisco", Gelatin Silver Print, 1947, printed by Max Yavno, estate stamp and printing notations "from the personal collection of Max Yavno" on verso, burlwood frame. Image: 10.75" H x 13" W; frame: 20" H x 22.5" W. Provenance: From the 50 East 89th Street estate of a 20th century photography collector. Reputedly purchased from Laurence Miller Gallery, New York, August 1995. Keywords: Photography, Architecture, California, Buildings, Modern Art, Black and white
Auctions at Showplace
Mar. 08, 2024
Max Yavno, Children Playing
Est: $500 - $700
Max Yavno Children Playing 1947 / printed c. 1970s gelatin silver print image: 7.5 h x 9.5 w in (19 x 24 cm) sheet: 8 h x 10 w in (20 x 25 cm) Signed, titled and inscribed to gallery stamp to verso 'Max Yavno Children Playing G. Ray Hawkins Gallery, Los Angeles'. Provenance: Collection of Susan and G. Ray Hawkins, Beverly Hills This work will ship from Los Angeles, California.
Los Angeles Modern Auctions
Mar. 08, 2024
Max Yavno, Watts, CA
Est: $800 - $1,200
Max Yavno Watts, CA 1977 vintage gelatin silver print image: 9 h x 13.5 w in (23 x 34 cm) sheet: 11 h x 14 w in (28 x 36 cm) Signed, titled and dated to press stamp to verso 'Max Yavno Watts, CA 1977'. Provenance: Collection of Susan and G. Ray Hawkins, Beverly Hills This work will ship from Los Angeles, California.
Los Angeles Modern Auctions
Feb. 15, 2024
MAX YAVNO (1911-1985) Muscle Beach, Los Angeles.
Est: $2,500 - $3,500
MAX YAVNO (1911-1985) Muscle Beach, Los Angeles. Silver print, the image measuring 11½x19½ inches (29.2x49.5 cm.), the sheet 16x20 inches (40.6x50.8 cm.), with printing notations in pencil in Yavno's hand, on verso. 1949; printed circa 1970
Swann Auction Galleries
Feb. 15, 2024
MAX YAVNO (1911-1985) A suite with two portraits of artist Wallace Putnam (1899-1989) and one of photographer Consuelo Kanaga (1894-197
Est: $1,500 - $2,500
MAX YAVNO (1911-1985) A suite with two portraits of artist Wallace Putnam (1899-1989) and one of photographer Consuelo Kanaga (1894-1978). Silver contact prints, the images measuring 4¾x3¾ inches (12.1x9.5 cm.), the sheets slightly larger, each with Yavno's signature in pencil on verso. Late 1930s
Swann Auction Galleries
Dec. 01, 2023
Max Yavno, Muscle Beach, Los Angeles
Est: $5,000 - $7,000
Max Yavno Muscle Beach, Los Angeles 1949 / printed later gelatin silver print 16 h x 19.875 w in (41 x 50 cm) Signed to verso 'Yavno'. Provenance: The Artist | Collection of Susan and G. Ray Hawkins, Beverly Hills Literature: The Photography of Max Yavno, Maddow, no. 12 The Los Angeles Book, Yavno and Shippey, ppg. 78-79 This work will ship from Los Angeles, California.
Los Angeles Modern Auctions
Dec. 01, 2023
Max Yavno, Knockout
Est: $800 - $1,200
Max Yavno Knockout 1977 vintage gelatin silver print image: 7.5 h x 9.5 w in (19 x 24 cm) sheet: 8 h x 10 w in (20 x 25 cm) Yavno personally printed all of his Press prints that were distributed to G. Ray Hawkins. Provenance: Collection of Susan and G. Ray Hawkins, Beverly Hills Literature: The Photography of Max Yavno, Maddow, no. 43 This work will ship from Los Angeles, California.
Los Angeles Modern Auctions
Dec. 01, 2023
Max Yavno, Untitled (Children in San Francisco)
Est: $400 - $600
Max Yavno Untitled (Children in San Francisco) 1947 / printed c. 1975 gelatin silver print image: 10.5 h x 13.5 w in (27 x 34 cm) mount: 16 h x 20 w in (41 x 51 cm) Signed to mount 'Yavno'. Provenance: Collection of Susan and G. Ray Hawkins, Beverly Hills This work will ship from Los Angeles, California.
Los Angeles Modern Auctions
Oct. 28, 2023
MAX YAVNO, (American, 1921-1985), Untitled (San Francisco), gelatin silver print, sight: 13 1/2 x 10 1/2 in., frame: 20 1/2 x 17 in.
Est: $1,000 - $2,000
MAX YAVNO (American, 1921-1985) Untitled (San Francisco) gelatin silver print signed Yavno lower right
Grogan & Company
Aug. 31, 2023
Max Yavno (1911-1985): Landscape with Nude Figure
Est: $200 - $300
Max Yavno (1911-1985): Landscape with Nude Figure photographic print; pencil-signed to backing lower right
Abell Auction
Aug. 02, 2023
Max Yavno, Street Talk Boy
Est: $800 - $1,200
Max Yavno Street Talk Boy 1944 vintage silver gelatin print 13.625 h x 10.625 w in (35 x 27 cm) Signed and dated to verso '1944 Yavno' with artist's stamp. Provenance: The Artist | Collection of Susan and G. Ray Hawkins, Beverly Hills This work will ship from Los Angeles, California.
Los Angeles Modern Auctions
Aug. 02, 2023
Max Yavno, Street Talk
Est: $800 - $1,200
Max Yavno Street Talk c. 1946 vintage gelatin silver print image: 11.25 h x 10.5 w in (29 x 27 cm) sheet: 12.25 h x 11 w in (31 x 28 cm) Signed to verso 'Yavno' and stamped 'Photo by Yavno' with typed inscription. Provenance: The Artist | Collection of Susan and G. Ray Hawkins, Beverly Hills This work will ship from Los Angeles, California.
Los Angeles Modern Auctions
Aug. 02, 2023
Max Yavno, Premiere at Carthay Circle
Est: $1,500 - $2,500
Max Yavno Premiere at Carthay Circle 1949 / printed c. 1975 gelatin silver print image: 19.5 h x 15.5 w in (50 x 39 cm) sheet: 19.875 h x 15.875 w in (50 x 40 cm) Signed to verso 'Yavno'. Provenance: Collection of Susan and G. Ray Hawkins, Beverly Hills Literature: The Photographs of Max Yavno, Maddow, pl. 10 This work will ship from Los Angeles, California.
Los Angeles Modern Auctions
Aug. 02, 2023
Max Yavno, Powell Street
Est: $1,500 - $2,500
Max Yavno Powell Street 1947 / printed c. 1975 gelatin silver print image: 19.25 h x 15.25 w in (49 x 39 cm) mount: 28 h x 22 w in (71 x 56 cm) Signed to lower right of mat 'Yavno'. Provenance: Collection of Susan and G. Ray Hawkins, Beverly Hills Literature: The Photographs of Max Yavno, Maddow, pl. 30 This work will ship from Los Angeles, California.
Los Angeles Modern Auctions
Aug. 02, 2023
Max Yavno, The Leg, Olympic Boulevard in West Los Angeles
Est: $3,000 - $5,000
Max Yavno The Leg, Olympic Boulevard in West Los Angeles 1949 / printed later gelatin silver print image: 19.375 h x 15.5 w in (49 x 39 cm) mount: 28 h x 22 w in (71 x 56 cm) Signed to mount 'Yavno'. Provenance: The Stephen White Collection Literature: The Photographs of Max Yavno, Maddow, pl. 24 This work will ship from Los Angeles, California.
Los Angeles Modern Auctions
Jul. 26, 2023
Max Yavno, Untitled (Dancers)
Est: $500 - $700
Max Yavno Untitled (Dancers) vintage gelatin silver print image: 13.25 h x 10.375 w in (34 x 26 cm) mount: 20 h x 16 w in (51 x 41 cm) Signed to lower right of mount 'Yavno'. Artist's stamp to verso 'Please credit photo by Yavno' with inscription '230 West 16th St.'. Provenance: Collection of Susan and G. Ray Hawkins, Beverly Hills This work will ship from Los Angeles, California.
Toomey & Co. Auctioneers
Jul. 26, 2023
Max Yavno, The White House, Canyon de Chelly
Est: $2,000 - $2,500
Max Yavno The White House, Canyon de Chelly 1975 vintage gelatin silver print mounted to paper sheet: 19.375 h x 13.25 w in (49 x 34 cm) mount: 26.875 h x 21.25 w in (68 x 54 cm) Signed to lower right of mount 'Yavno'. Provenance: Collection of Susan and G. Ray Hawkins, Beverly Hills Literature: The Photography of Max Yavno, Maddow, no. 52 This work will ship from Los Angeles, California.
Toomey & Co. Auctioneers
May. 06, 2023
Max Yavno (1911-1985) Hot Dog, Los Angeles, Tail of the Pup, 1949/1970's
Est: $2,000 - $2,500
Gelatin Silver Print Credit stamp on verso Image: 2 3/4 x 4 3/8 inches Framed: 11 3/8 x 13 inches
Santa Monica Auctions
Apr. 27, 2023
MAX YAVNO (1911-1985) The Heiress.
Est: $3,000 - $4,500
MAX YAVNO (1911-1985) The Heiress. Silver print, the image measuring 19x15 3/8 inches (48.3x39 cm.), the mount 28x22 inches (71.1x55.9 cm.), with Yavno's signature in pencil on mount recto. 1950; printed circa 1980 Provenance: David Gardiner Collection, by descent
Swann Auction Galleries
Apr. 27, 2023
MAX YAVNO (1911-1985) Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco.
Est: $1,500 - $2,500
MAX YAVNO (1911-1985) Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco. Silver print, the image measuring 13 1/2x10 1/4 inches (34.3x26 cm.), the mount 20x16 inches (50.8x40.6 cm.), with Yavno's signature in pencil on mount recto. 1947; printed 1970s
Swann Auction Galleries
Mar. 23, 2023
Max Yavno, Premiere at Carthay Circle
Est: $1,500 - $2,500
Max Yavno Premiere at Carthay Circle 1949 / printed c. 1975 gelatin silver print mounted to matboard sheet: 19.25 h x 15.5 w in (49 x 39 cm) mount: 28 h x 22 w in (71 x 56 cm) Signed to lower right of mount 'Yavno'. Provenance: Collection of Susan and G. Ray Hawkins, Beverly Hills Literature: The Photography of Max Yavno, Maddow, no. 10 The Los Angeles Book, Yavno and Shippey, pg. 47 This work will ship from Los Angeles, California.
Los Angeles Modern Auctions
Mar. 23, 2023
Max Yavno, Cable Car, San Francisco
Est: $1,500 - $2,500
Max Yavno Cable Car, San Francisco 1947 / printed later gelatin silver print mounted to matboard sheet: 10.875 h x 11.125 w in (28 x 28 cm) mount: 20.25 h x 15 w in (51 x 38 cm) Signed to lower right of mount 'Yavno'. Provenance: Collection of Susan and G. Ray Hawkins, Beverly Hills Literature: The Photography of Max Yavno, Maddow, no. 25 This work will ship from Los Angeles, California.
Los Angeles Modern Auctions
Mar. 23, 2023
Max Yavno, Powell Street, San Francisco
Est: $1,500 - $2,500
Max Yavno Powell Street, San Francisco 1947 / printed later gelatin silver print image: 13.5 h x 10.5 w in (34 x 27 cm) sheet: 14 h x 11 w in (36 x 28 cm) Signed, numbered and inscribed to verso 'Yavno #7 #3802-C'. Provenance: Collection of Susan and G. Ray Hawkins, Beverly Hills Literature: The Photography of Max Yavno, Maddow, no. 30 This work will ship from Los Angeles, California.
Los Angeles Modern Auctions
Mar. 23, 2023
Max Yavno, The White House, Canyon de Chelly
Est: $2,000 - $2,500
Max Yavno The White House, Canyon de Chelly 1975 vintage gelatin silver print mounted to paper sheet: 19.375 h x 13.25 w in (49 x 34 cm) mount: 26.875 h x 21.25 w in (68 x 54 cm) Signed to lower right of mount 'Yavno'. Provenance: Collection of Susan and G. Ray Hawkins, Beverly Hills Literature: The Photography of Max Yavno, Maddow, no. 52 This work will ship from Los Angeles, California.
Los Angeles Modern Auctions
Mar. 23, 2023
Max Yavno, View from Twin Peaks, San Francisco
Est: $1,500 - $2,500
Max Yavno View from Twin Peaks, San Francisco 1947 / printed c. 1975 gelatin silver print mounted to matboard image: 11.125 h x 19.375 w in (28 x 49 cm) mount: 21.875 h x 27.875 w in (56 x 71 cm) Signed to lower right of mount 'Yavno'. Provenance: Collection of Susan and G. Ray Hawkins, Beverly Hills Literature: The Photography of Max Yavno, Maddow, no. 26 This work will ship from Los Angeles, California.
Los Angeles Modern Auctions
Mar. 23, 2023
Max Yavno, Muscle Beach, Los Angeles
Est: $3,000 - $4,000
Max Yavno Muscle Beach, Los Angeles 1949 / printed later gelatin silver print mounted to matboard image: 11.5 h x 19.375 w in (29 x 49 cm) mount: 22 h x 28 w in (56 x 71 cm) Signed to lower right of mount 'Yavno'. Provenance: Collection of Susan and G. Ray Hawkins, Beverly Hills Literature: The Photography of Max Yavno, Maddow, no. 12 The Los Angeles Book, Yavno and Shippey, ppg. 78-79 This work will ship from Los Angeles, California.
Los Angeles Modern Auctions
May. 22, 2022
MAX YAVNO (1911 - 1985)
Est: $500 - $700
"Two Chinese Men in Doorway - San Francisco, CA"; c. 1950 (printed later); Gelatin Silver Print; 13.5" x 10.5"; Signed Lower Left; Unframed; Note: scratch across upper left surface and lower left corner (please see photos.); Provenance: From the Estate of Marcuse "Cusie" Pfeifer (1936 - 2020).
James Cox Gallery
May. 22, 2022
MAX YAVNO (1911 - 1985)
Est: $1,000 - $1,500
"Cable Car Turnaround - San Francisco, CA"; c. 1950 (printed later); Gelatin Silver Print; 10.5" x 12.25"; Signed Center Right; Unframed; Note: scratch or crease in upper right quadrant (please see photos.); Provenance: From the Estate of Marcuse "Cusie" Pfeifer (1936 - 2020).
James Cox Gallery
Mar. 13, 2022
The Photography of Max Yavno 1st Ed. 1981
Est: $70 - $150
1981 University of California Press, The Photographs of Max Yavno. Yavno (NY, 1911-1985) photographed for the WPA and is in MOMA. 12.5" x 12.5".
District Auction
Feb. 22, 2022
Max Yavno, Wailing Wall, Woman's Section
Est: $1,500 - $2,000
Max Yavno Wailing Wall, Woman's Section 1979 / printed later gelatin silver print image: 10.5 h × 13.5 w in (27 × 34 cm) sheet: 11 h × 14 w in (28 × 36 cm) Inscribed to upper margin 'Book P.64'. Estate stamp to verso 'Photograph by Max Yavno From the Estate of Max Yavno'. Provenance: Los Angeles Modern Auctions, Modern Art & Design, 6 May 2012, Lot 189 | Private Collection, Los Angeles condition: Work is in good overall condition. Attenuation to the image in the area not behind the mat. It appears that there was a mark to the original negative at the lower right that is visible in the reprinting, but it does not appear that this is a condition issue that happened to this imprint. Abrasion to the upper right corner measuring approximately 0.5" in length. Extremely minor scattered pinpoint indentations along extreme edge of sheet at upper right margin. Soft corner lower right. A minute dent to upper edge at right. Framed behind acrylic measuring 18 x 21 inches.
Los Angeles Modern Auctions
Feb. 22, 2022
Max Yavno, Garage Doors
Est: $1,500 - $2,000
Max Yavno Garage Doors 1947 / printed later gelatin silver print mounted on board image: 10.5 h × 13.5 w in (27 × 34 cm) mount: 16 h × 20 w in (41 × 51 cm) Signed to board 'Yavno'. Provenance: Los Angeles Modern Auctions, Van Nuys, Modern Art & Design, 6 May 2012, Lot 190 | Private Collection, Los Angeles Literature: The Photography of Max Yavno, Maddow, pg. 32 condition: Work is in good overall condition. Minute flaked loss to the emulsion to upper edge at right and lower center at bottom edge. Toning to the extreme edges of the board and to the perimeter surrounding the mounted print. Remnant of hinge tape to upper board at left. Framed behind acrylic measuring 19 x 23 inches.
Los Angeles Modern Auctions
Feb. 10, 2022
MAX YAVNO (1911-1985) Muscle Beach, Los Angeles.
Est: $5,000 - $7,500
MAX YAVNO (1911-1985) Muscle Beach, Los Angeles. Silver print, the image measuring 11 1/2x19 3/8 inches (29.2x23.8 cm.), the mount 22x28 inches (55.9x71.1 cm.), with Yavno's signature, in pencil, on mount recto. 1947; printed circa 1970
Swann Auction Galleries
Feb. 10, 2022
MAX YAVNO (1911-1985) Gleaming Cans.
Est: $3,000 - $4,500
MAX YAVNO (1911-1985) Gleaming Cans. Chromogenic print, the image measuring 13 7/8x10 7/8 inches (35.2x27.6 cm.), the mount 20x16 inches (50.8x40.6 cm.), with Yavno's signature, in pencil, on mount recto. 1955; printed 1977
Swann Auction Galleries
Oct. 21, 2021
MAX YAVNO (1911-1985) San Francisco cable car turnaround.
Est: $3,000 - $4,500
MAX YAVNO (1911-1985) San Francisco cable car turnaround. Silver print, the image measuring 3 3/4x4 1/4 inches (9.5x10.8 cm.), the mount 7 1/2x10 inches (19.1x25.4 cm.), with Yavno's signature, in pencil, on mount recto. 1947
Swann Auction Galleries
Sep. 29, 2021
Max Yavno (American, 1911-1985) Two Chinese, San Francisco, 1947 (printed c. 1970s)
Est: $1,000 - $2,000
Max Yavno (American, 1911-1985) Two Chinese, San Francisco, 1947 (printed c. 1970s) gelatin silver print signed on mount 20 x 16 inches. Literature: The Photography of Max Yavno, University of California Press, 1981 (plate 35) Provenance: Personal Collection of Max Yavno Jan Kesner Gallery, Los Angeles
Hindman
May. 27, 2021
MAX YAVNO (1911-1985) Muscle Beach, Los Angeles.
Est: $2,500 - $3,500
MAX YAVNO (1911-1985) Muscle Beach, Los Angeles. Silver print, the image measuring 5 1/4x8 7/8 inches (13.3x22.5 cm.), the mount 6 1/2x10 1/2 inches (16.5x26.7 cm.), with Yavno's signature, in pencil, on mount recto. 1949; printed 1960s
Swann Auction Galleries
Dec. 05, 2020
MAX YAVNO Photo League, San Francisco 1947
Est: $600 - $800
MAX YAVNO, Garage Doors, San Francisco, 1947, 10.375x13.375" Gelatin silver print, Printed 1970s, Signed in pencil on mount recti below lower right of print. Inscribed in pencil on mount verso: #11. Yavno is best known for his work in San Francisco and Los Angeles. Social documentary photographer Max Yavno (1911-1985) identified the odd charm that constitutes the identity of a place and people. Born in New York, Yavno was a social worker from 1932-1936. He is best known for his depictions of great American cities and the cultural and social detail of their inhabitants, many of which distinctively reflect their era. In 1936, Yavno began photographing New York street life for the Works Progress Administrationâs Federal Theater Project. As his interest in photography burgeoned, Yavno joined the Photo League and served as its president in the late 1930s. Through this organization he met Aaron Siskind, who became his roommate and lifelong friend. During World War II, Yavno served in the United States Army Air Force as a film and photography instructor. Following the war, he relocated to San Francisco and continued teaching. There, Yavno began a freelance career with clients including Vogue and Harper's Bazaar. During this time he achieved success both as a fine art and commercial photographer. Yavno was included in Seventeen American Photographers, a 1947 exhibition at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. This placed him alongside established photographers Berenice Abbott, Ansel Adams, Man Ray, and Edward Weston. Following this pivotal exhibition, Yavno published The San Francisco Book in 1948 and The Los Angeles Book in 1950, both of which chronicled the urban landscape and its population. By 1952, Edward Steichen had purchased Yavnoâs prints for The Museum of Modern Art. With recommendations by Edward Weston and Steichen, he was awarded a Guggenheim Fellowship in 1953. From 1954-1975, Yavno owned and operated a thriving commercial photography studio in Los Angeles. In 1975, the sixty-four-year-old photographer closed his studio to allow for more personal pursuits. Yavno continued to photograph California, but also worked in Mexico, Morocco, Israel, and Egypt, securing funds for the later trips from the National Endowment for the Arts. The Photography of Max Yavno was published by the University of California press in 1981, to accompany a retrospective at Los Angeles Municipal Art Gallery. Yavno continued to make and exhibit photographic works until his death in 1985. CREDIT: Center for Creative Photography https://ccp.arizona.edu/artists/max-yavno
Andrew Smith Gallery Photography Auctions, LLC

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