Michael Joseph (1941-) - Pool ladies ready to dive, red-toned test print
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Current bid
€ 54
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Expert
Selected by Kai Brückner
Over 35 years' experience; former gallery owner and Museum Folkwang curator.
Estimate € 400 - € 500
 | €54 | |
|---|---|---|
 | €47 | |
| €44 | |
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Michael Joseph – Pool ladies ready to dive, red-toned test print, a 1980 digital laser print from the original negative, 39.7 cm high by 26.6 cm wide, hand-signed and in original state.
AI-assisted summary
Description from the seller
"Ready to Dive" – Pool Ladies, London, 1987
Michael Joseph | Unique Colour Laser Print | Hand-Titled, Annotated & Signed by the Photographer
A Deliciously Daring Moment of Eighties Photographic Theatre!
A line of nude swimmers, a swimming pool, and a perfectly synchronised moment of anticipation!
Photographed in 1987 at Michael Joseph's swimming pool in Clapham Common, London, this wonderfully provocative composition was created in connection with an interview for the American Playboy television channel.
A succession of female swimmers, wearing bathing caps and goggles, lean forward in perfect formation, poised to plunge into the water.
Their outstretched bodies create an extraordinary rhythm of repeating silhouettes, while the dramatic perspective draws the eye along the line of swimmers towards the illuminated pool.
Playful, provocative and unmistakably Michael Joseph - a wonderfully theatrical celebration of the human form, with a delicious touch of British humour!
A Striking Red-Toned Laser Print
This particular example is especially appealing for its dramatic colour treatment.
Rather than a conventional black-and-white photograph, this is an original colour laser print, featuring striking shades of crimson, coral, deep burgundy and almost-black shadows.
The warm red and pink tones lend the image a wonderfully atmospheric, almost cinematic quality, emphasising the sculptural forms of the swimmers and the extraordinary geometry of the composition.
The contrast between the glowing poolside illumination and the dark foreground creates a remarkable sense of depth and visual drama.
A very unusual and particularly decorative interpretation of one of Michael Joseph's characteristically imaginative photographic compositions, which has often been seen blue-toned - but never crimson!
Personally Annotated & Signed by Michael Joseph
The photograph is presented with a generous black border, and along the lower border, Michael Joseph has personally inscribed, white-coloured ink:
Lower left: Ready to Dive
Lower centre: Pool Ladies – London
Lower right: His distinctive handwritten signature.
These original handwritten inscriptions add considerable character to the piece, making it particularly appealing to collectors who appreciate photographs bearing the artist's personal annotations.
Michael Joseph – The Photographer Behind The Rolling Stones' Beggars Banquet
Born in South Africa in 1941, Michael Joseph became one of London's most inventive advertising photographers, celebrated for his extraordinary ability to orchestrate elaborate scenes with humour, imagination and theatrical flair.
His best-known work includes the legendary photographs created for The Rolling Stones' 1968 album Beggars Banquet.
Throughout his career, Joseph delighted in the unexpected, transforming people, places and everyday situations into striking visual spectacles.
Ready to Dive is a wonderful example of this distinctive approach: a seemingly simple swimming-pool scene transformed through repetition, perspective and carefully arranged human figures into something utterly memorable.
Artwork Details
Photographer: Michael Joseph (born 1941)
Title: Ready to Dive – Pool Ladies
Location: Clapham Common, London, England
Date: 1987
Original context: Photographed in connection with an interview for the American Playboy television channel
Medium: Original colour laser print in a 40cm wide by 50cm high mount.
Colour treatment: Rich red, pink and burgundy tones with deep contrasting shadows
Presentation: Black photographic border with fine pale outline and handwritten inscriptions
Signature: Personally hand-signed by Michael Joseph in white-coloured ink
Provenance: Michael Joseph's personal photographic archive, preserved by his family
Condition: Please examine all accompanying photographs carefully before bidding. As an older print, it may display minor age-related characteristics consistent with its history and production process.
An Irresistibly Eccentric Collector's Piece!
Combining the glamour and irreverence of the 1980s with Michael Joseph's extraordinary eye for composition, Ready to Dive is a photograph that immediately commands attention.
The striking red tonal treatment, perfectly aligned figures and dramatic perspective give it an almost surreal, graphic quality - somewhere between fine-art photography, vintage editorial imagery and theatrical performance.
An original, individually signed and annotated laser print from the family archive of the photographer behind The Rolling Stones' Beggars Banquet.
A wonderfully distinctive addition to a collection of British photography, 1980s imagery, artistic nudes, vintage Playboy-related memorabilia or unconventional photographic art.
Bold, mischievous and gloriously theatrical - proof that sometimes the moment before the dive is even more captivating than the plunge itself!
#MichaelJoseph #ReadyToDive #PoolLadies #PlayboyPhotography #VintagePhotography #UniqueLaserPrint #1980sPhotography #BritishPhotography #FineArtPhotography #ArtisticNude #SignedPhotography #PhotographyCollectors #ClaphamCommon #RollingStonesPhotographer #BeggarsBanquet
Seller's Story
My father, Michael Joseph, was a London-based advertising photographer from the 1960s to the early 1990s, perhaps best known for his iconic photographs for the Rolling Stones’ Beggars Banquet album.
Such was Michael’s extraordinary talent for orchestrating elaborate group scenes, often bringing together large numbers of people and animals in seemingly effortless harmony, that these wonderfully theatrical compositions became known within the advertising industry simply as “a Michael Joseph” - a style so distinctive that his name became a description in its own right.
Our continuing mission is to share what we affectionately call “the other photographs”: lesser-known treasures from his remarkable archive, including original vintage darkroom prints, experimental test prints, alternative images from major shoots, celebrated group compositions and more intimate, personal photographs.
Among our most exciting discoveries is Michael’s extraordinary 1964 Vietnam archive, photographed when he was just 23. Many of these powerful images have never previously been exhibited or offered for sale, revealing a fascinating, lesser-known side of his career.
There is also a wonderfully poetic quality to much of his work: unexpected encounters, fleeting moments and what we like to call “immortalised instants” - those unrepeatable fragments of everyday life that might otherwise have gone unnoticed.
All beautifully summed up in Michael’s favourite adage:
“Always keep a camera handy, every minute of your living day.”
A philosophy he certainly lived by, leaving us an extraordinary collection that we are still discovering today.
Alongside Michael’s authentic vintage prints, we are introducing new interpretations of his work: striking photographic prints on aluminium and handmade cyanotypes, created from his original negatives and transparencies using the Dordogne sunshine. Some are produced on vintage papers from Michael’s own photographic library, giving these historic materials a wonderful new lease of life.
Together, these works celebrate photographic history and contemporary creativity - from unique prints made by Michael himself to imaginative new interpretations of his archive.
We hope you enjoy discovering these photographs as much as we enjoy bringing them to light!
A Small Note About the Presentation Photographs
Some of our in situ illustrations showing artworks displayed in interiors have been created using artificial intelligence (AI).
These are intended simply to help you imagine how a piece might look in a home, office or gallery. Although we aim for faithful representations, proportions and scale may occasionally vary.
Please refer to the actual artwork photographs and stated dimensions for an accurate representation of your purchase.
A Personal Note About Packaging
We prepare and pack every artwork ourselves, taking great care to protect each piece with several layers of suitable materials.
To keep costs down and minimise waste, we reuse and upcycle packaging wherever possible. Your parcel may therefore contain recycled cardboard, protective sleeves, old photographic boxes or envelopes - occasionally even materials from Michael’s own photographic library!
And please don't be surprised if the outside looks rather plain, or even a little unattractive. This is often deliberate! We prefer valuable or irreplaceable artworks to travel as inconspicuously as possible.
One small favour: please unwrap your parcel slowly and carefully.
We sometimes use several layers of cardboard, paper and protective wrapping, secured with tape. Please take particular care when using scissors or a blade, as tape can occasionally catch on adjoining layers or items inside.
We would rather spend a little extra time protecting your purchase than risk damage in transit, and hope you will forgive our occasionally unconventional packaging!
After all, it's what's inside that matters, not the wrapping!
Every purchase helps us preserve, explore and share Michael’s remarkable photographic archive, while giving these images a new home and another chapter in their history.
For US Buyers
Customs duties and applicable import charges are paid at source and included in the shipping cost. No additional charges should normally be payable upon delivery, subject to changes in customs regulations.
"Ready to Dive" – Pool Ladies, London, 1987
Michael Joseph | Unique Colour Laser Print | Hand-Titled, Annotated & Signed by the Photographer
A Deliciously Daring Moment of Eighties Photographic Theatre!
A line of nude swimmers, a swimming pool, and a perfectly synchronised moment of anticipation!
Photographed in 1987 at Michael Joseph's swimming pool in Clapham Common, London, this wonderfully provocative composition was created in connection with an interview for the American Playboy television channel.
A succession of female swimmers, wearing bathing caps and goggles, lean forward in perfect formation, poised to plunge into the water.
Their outstretched bodies create an extraordinary rhythm of repeating silhouettes, while the dramatic perspective draws the eye along the line of swimmers towards the illuminated pool.
Playful, provocative and unmistakably Michael Joseph - a wonderfully theatrical celebration of the human form, with a delicious touch of British humour!
A Striking Red-Toned Laser Print
This particular example is especially appealing for its dramatic colour treatment.
Rather than a conventional black-and-white photograph, this is an original colour laser print, featuring striking shades of crimson, coral, deep burgundy and almost-black shadows.
The warm red and pink tones lend the image a wonderfully atmospheric, almost cinematic quality, emphasising the sculptural forms of the swimmers and the extraordinary geometry of the composition.
The contrast between the glowing poolside illumination and the dark foreground creates a remarkable sense of depth and visual drama.
A very unusual and particularly decorative interpretation of one of Michael Joseph's characteristically imaginative photographic compositions, which has often been seen blue-toned - but never crimson!
Personally Annotated & Signed by Michael Joseph
The photograph is presented with a generous black border, and along the lower border, Michael Joseph has personally inscribed, white-coloured ink:
Lower left: Ready to Dive
Lower centre: Pool Ladies – London
Lower right: His distinctive handwritten signature.
These original handwritten inscriptions add considerable character to the piece, making it particularly appealing to collectors who appreciate photographs bearing the artist's personal annotations.
Michael Joseph – The Photographer Behind The Rolling Stones' Beggars Banquet
Born in South Africa in 1941, Michael Joseph became one of London's most inventive advertising photographers, celebrated for his extraordinary ability to orchestrate elaborate scenes with humour, imagination and theatrical flair.
His best-known work includes the legendary photographs created for The Rolling Stones' 1968 album Beggars Banquet.
Throughout his career, Joseph delighted in the unexpected, transforming people, places and everyday situations into striking visual spectacles.
Ready to Dive is a wonderful example of this distinctive approach: a seemingly simple swimming-pool scene transformed through repetition, perspective and carefully arranged human figures into something utterly memorable.
Artwork Details
Photographer: Michael Joseph (born 1941)
Title: Ready to Dive – Pool Ladies
Location: Clapham Common, London, England
Date: 1987
Original context: Photographed in connection with an interview for the American Playboy television channel
Medium: Original colour laser print in a 40cm wide by 50cm high mount.
Colour treatment: Rich red, pink and burgundy tones with deep contrasting shadows
Presentation: Black photographic border with fine pale outline and handwritten inscriptions
Signature: Personally hand-signed by Michael Joseph in white-coloured ink
Provenance: Michael Joseph's personal photographic archive, preserved by his family
Condition: Please examine all accompanying photographs carefully before bidding. As an older print, it may display minor age-related characteristics consistent with its history and production process.
An Irresistibly Eccentric Collector's Piece!
Combining the glamour and irreverence of the 1980s with Michael Joseph's extraordinary eye for composition, Ready to Dive is a photograph that immediately commands attention.
The striking red tonal treatment, perfectly aligned figures and dramatic perspective give it an almost surreal, graphic quality - somewhere between fine-art photography, vintage editorial imagery and theatrical performance.
An original, individually signed and annotated laser print from the family archive of the photographer behind The Rolling Stones' Beggars Banquet.
A wonderfully distinctive addition to a collection of British photography, 1980s imagery, artistic nudes, vintage Playboy-related memorabilia or unconventional photographic art.
Bold, mischievous and gloriously theatrical - proof that sometimes the moment before the dive is even more captivating than the plunge itself!
#MichaelJoseph #ReadyToDive #PoolLadies #PlayboyPhotography #VintagePhotography #UniqueLaserPrint #1980sPhotography #BritishPhotography #FineArtPhotography #ArtisticNude #SignedPhotography #PhotographyCollectors #ClaphamCommon #RollingStonesPhotographer #BeggarsBanquet
Seller's Story
My father, Michael Joseph, was a London-based advertising photographer from the 1960s to the early 1990s, perhaps best known for his iconic photographs for the Rolling Stones’ Beggars Banquet album.
Such was Michael’s extraordinary talent for orchestrating elaborate group scenes, often bringing together large numbers of people and animals in seemingly effortless harmony, that these wonderfully theatrical compositions became known within the advertising industry simply as “a Michael Joseph” - a style so distinctive that his name became a description in its own right.
Our continuing mission is to share what we affectionately call “the other photographs”: lesser-known treasures from his remarkable archive, including original vintage darkroom prints, experimental test prints, alternative images from major shoots, celebrated group compositions and more intimate, personal photographs.
Among our most exciting discoveries is Michael’s extraordinary 1964 Vietnam archive, photographed when he was just 23. Many of these powerful images have never previously been exhibited or offered for sale, revealing a fascinating, lesser-known side of his career.
There is also a wonderfully poetic quality to much of his work: unexpected encounters, fleeting moments and what we like to call “immortalised instants” - those unrepeatable fragments of everyday life that might otherwise have gone unnoticed.
All beautifully summed up in Michael’s favourite adage:
“Always keep a camera handy, every minute of your living day.”
A philosophy he certainly lived by, leaving us an extraordinary collection that we are still discovering today.
Alongside Michael’s authentic vintage prints, we are introducing new interpretations of his work: striking photographic prints on aluminium and handmade cyanotypes, created from his original negatives and transparencies using the Dordogne sunshine. Some are produced on vintage papers from Michael’s own photographic library, giving these historic materials a wonderful new lease of life.
Together, these works celebrate photographic history and contemporary creativity - from unique prints made by Michael himself to imaginative new interpretations of his archive.
We hope you enjoy discovering these photographs as much as we enjoy bringing them to light!
A Small Note About the Presentation Photographs
Some of our in situ illustrations showing artworks displayed in interiors have been created using artificial intelligence (AI).
These are intended simply to help you imagine how a piece might look in a home, office or gallery. Although we aim for faithful representations, proportions and scale may occasionally vary.
Please refer to the actual artwork photographs and stated dimensions for an accurate representation of your purchase.
A Personal Note About Packaging
We prepare and pack every artwork ourselves, taking great care to protect each piece with several layers of suitable materials.
To keep costs down and minimise waste, we reuse and upcycle packaging wherever possible. Your parcel may therefore contain recycled cardboard, protective sleeves, old photographic boxes or envelopes - occasionally even materials from Michael’s own photographic library!
And please don't be surprised if the outside looks rather plain, or even a little unattractive. This is often deliberate! We prefer valuable or irreplaceable artworks to travel as inconspicuously as possible.
One small favour: please unwrap your parcel slowly and carefully.
We sometimes use several layers of cardboard, paper and protective wrapping, secured with tape. Please take particular care when using scissors or a blade, as tape can occasionally catch on adjoining layers or items inside.
We would rather spend a little extra time protecting your purchase than risk damage in transit, and hope you will forgive our occasionally unconventional packaging!
After all, it's what's inside that matters, not the wrapping!
Every purchase helps us preserve, explore and share Michael’s remarkable photographic archive, while giving these images a new home and another chapter in their history.
For US Buyers
Customs duties and applicable import charges are paid at source and included in the shipping cost. No additional charges should normally be payable upon delivery, subject to changes in customs regulations.
Details
Date of print
1980
Artist
Michael Joseph (1941-)
Sold by
Owner or reseller
Title of artwork
Pool ladies ready to dive, red-toned test print
Condition
Original State
Technique
Digital print
Height
39.7 cm
Edition
Laser print from original negative by the photographer
Width
26.6 cm
Signature
Hand signed
Genre
Nude
Sold by
