Michael Joseph (1941-) - Pool ladies, Playboy: Ready to Dive
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Selected by Kai Brückner
Over 35 years' experience; former gallery owner and Museum Folkwang curator.
Estimate € 400 - € 500
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Description from the seller
Pool Ladies Ready to Dive – Photograph taken in the 1980s
Photographer: Michael Joseph
Medium: Original hand-printed warm-toned mat finish darkroom photograph
Signature: Signed and dated in white ink on the photo itself
Frame size: 39,5cm high × 32 cm wide
Mount: Silver mount by a professional framer, taped simply so that glass can be fitted once the item has reached its destination.
This original darkroom print by Michael Joseph captures a poised, anticipatory moment at a Clapham swimming pool in the 1980s. A line of women stands at the pool’s edge, bodies angled forward, arms extended, caught just before the act of diving. The image holds the tension of that suspended second — balanced between stillness and motion.
Joseph’s composition is tightly structured and rhythmical. The repetition of limbs, the forward lean of the bodies, and the strong diagonal created by the poolside architecture produce a dynamic sense of choreography. Each figure is distinct, yet together they form a single visual cadence, reinforced by the reflective surface of the water below.
Printed in warm-toned monochrome, the photograph emphasises form, weight and balance rather than narrative detail. The minimal setting strips the scene back to gesture and posture, lending the figures a sculptural quality while keeping the atmosphere informal and quietly playful.
Though clearly directed, the image avoids theatrical excess. Its strength lies in restraint — a controlled composition that still allows for individuality and human presence. This balance is characteristic of Joseph’s work across both fashion and documentary photography, and reflects the same visual intelligence that underpinned his most celebrated portraits.
This is an authentic signed vintage darkroom print, preserved in excellent condition. The verso remains taped as originally mounted, with a discreet studio label featuring the photographer’s portrait and Clapham address, confirming provenance.
The photograph is presented in a lightly burnished silver-grey-tone upcycled frame with a deep sea blue sub-coat, bevelled edge and soft patina. Clean and contemporary in feel, the frame subtly echoes the period of the print without distracting from the image.
A confident, formally resolved work from one of Britain’s most distinctive post-war photographers.
The piece will be packed with great care and devotion, and dispatched promptly via Colissimo, ensuring safe arrival.
Offered by the photographer's daughter, with close attention to the preservation and placement of this one-off historical print.
Seller's Story
My father, Michael Joseph, was an advertising photographer based in London from the mid-sixties to the early nineties. During that time, he created some truly remarkable work — his most famous moment being the Beggars Banquet gatefold for the Rolling Stones.
My ongoing mission is to share and celebrate what we call 'the other photos' — the lesser-known but equally captivating pieces from his archive. Within this collection, you'll find a mix of test prints, images from specific photo shoots, and more personal works, all created with his characteristic passion and devotion.
Many of these images owe their atmosphere to the magic of the darkroom: intricate group scenes, striking still lifes, and moments that draw the viewer in and stir emotion. Variety is key - and I often offer unique, one-off pieces.
I hope you enjoy discovering my father’s work, and I look forward to sending you a genuine piece of photographic history.
Translated by Google TranslatePool Ladies Ready to Dive – Photograph taken in the 1980s
Photographer: Michael Joseph
Medium: Original hand-printed warm-toned mat finish darkroom photograph
Signature: Signed and dated in white ink on the photo itself
Frame size: 39,5cm high × 32 cm wide
Mount: Silver mount by a professional framer, taped simply so that glass can be fitted once the item has reached its destination.
This original darkroom print by Michael Joseph captures a poised, anticipatory moment at a Clapham swimming pool in the 1980s. A line of women stands at the pool’s edge, bodies angled forward, arms extended, caught just before the act of diving. The image holds the tension of that suspended second — balanced between stillness and motion.
Joseph’s composition is tightly structured and rhythmical. The repetition of limbs, the forward lean of the bodies, and the strong diagonal created by the poolside architecture produce a dynamic sense of choreography. Each figure is distinct, yet together they form a single visual cadence, reinforced by the reflective surface of the water below.
Printed in warm-toned monochrome, the photograph emphasises form, weight and balance rather than narrative detail. The minimal setting strips the scene back to gesture and posture, lending the figures a sculptural quality while keeping the atmosphere informal and quietly playful.
Though clearly directed, the image avoids theatrical excess. Its strength lies in restraint — a controlled composition that still allows for individuality and human presence. This balance is characteristic of Joseph’s work across both fashion and documentary photography, and reflects the same visual intelligence that underpinned his most celebrated portraits.
This is an authentic signed vintage darkroom print, preserved in excellent condition. The verso remains taped as originally mounted, with a discreet studio label featuring the photographer’s portrait and Clapham address, confirming provenance.
The photograph is presented in a lightly burnished silver-grey-tone upcycled frame with a deep sea blue sub-coat, bevelled edge and soft patina. Clean and contemporary in feel, the frame subtly echoes the period of the print without distracting from the image.
A confident, formally resolved work from one of Britain’s most distinctive post-war photographers.
The piece will be packed with great care and devotion, and dispatched promptly via Colissimo, ensuring safe arrival.
Offered by the photographer's daughter, with close attention to the preservation and placement of this one-off historical print.
Seller's Story
My father, Michael Joseph, was an advertising photographer based in London from the mid-sixties to the early nineties. During that time, he created some truly remarkable work — his most famous moment being the Beggars Banquet gatefold for the Rolling Stones.
My ongoing mission is to share and celebrate what we call 'the other photos' — the lesser-known but equally captivating pieces from his archive. Within this collection, you'll find a mix of test prints, images from specific photo shoots, and more personal works, all created with his characteristic passion and devotion.
Many of these images owe their atmosphere to the magic of the darkroom: intricate group scenes, striking still lifes, and moments that draw the viewer in and stir emotion. Variety is key - and I often offer unique, one-off pieces.
I hope you enjoy discovering my father’s work, and I look forward to sending you a genuine piece of photographic history.
Translated by Google TranslateDetails
Date of print
1987
Artist
Michael Joseph (1941-)
Sold by
Owner or reseller
Title of artwork
Pool ladies, Playboy: Ready to Dive
Condition
Original State
Technique
Gelatin-silver print
Height
24 cm
Edition
Unique vintage test print on a matt finish card
Width
19 cm
Signature
Hand signed
Genre
Fine art photography
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