Linn, Judi (Smith, Patti; Mapplethorpe, Robert; Biderman, Peggy)

Original Outtake Photograph

New York, NYCirca 1969 Original Print. Single sheet. Original photograph of Patti Smith & Robert Mapplethorpe, unpublished outtake. This is an original developed photograph of an image taken by the noted photographer Judith Linn. During the late 1960s-early 1970s, the photographer was the friend & collaborator of Patti Smith & Robert Mapplethorpe. All three were very young & had yet to become famous. This image, one of many such taken by Linn during this period, is of a nude Smith, held from behind by Mapplethorpe. According to the recollection of songwriter/producer Beth Biderman, her mother, the late Peggy Biderman, obtained a negative of this image from Mapplethorpe while they all were living at the Chelsea Hotel in NYC. The negative was developed by Peggy Biderman into the photograph offered here. The negative that belonged to the Bidermans has been lost, but this image remains. Recently, Linn has published a book of photographs, Patti Smith 1969-1976 (Abrams, 2011, ISBN# 0-8109-9832-7), which features an image very close to this one. In correspondence from Linn's representative to Beth Biderman, it is noted that "Judy Linn and I reviewed the image you sent for authentication, however please note that it is an outtake and as such not recognized as part of the artist's work. Given that, the artist will not provide a signature." Nevertheless, this outtake is acknowledged to have been taken & is a unique artifact of the early scene that nurtured these icons-to-be. In very fine condition, on high-quality photographic paper, measuring appx. 13 1/2" x 10 3/4" in its entirety, with the image measuring appx. 6 1/2" x 10". A most rare item with distinguished back story & provenance, suitable for framing. Very Fine [Item #1621]