Michael Joseph (1941-) - Spartacus darkroom print & "Star Stratégie" photo-shoot book
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Selected by Elena Vaninetti
Has over ten years of experience in art, specialising in post-war photography and contemporary art.
Estimate € 500 - € 600
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Michael Joseph’s hand-signed 1983 gelatin-silver print, titled “Spartacus”, is offered with the illustrated “Star Stratégie” book.
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Description from the seller
Michael Joseph – “Spartacus” (1983) – Original Signed & Dedicated Photograph + Illustrated Advertising Book
Lyon, France, 1983 | Original Brown-Toned Photographic Print | Hand-Signed & Dedicated to Jacques Weber | Original Illustrated Publication Included | From the Michael Joseph Family Archive
A Cast of Gladiators, a Forest of Tridents, Flames, Flesh and Glorious Mayhem – Michael Joseph at His Most Extravagant!
TWO FASCINATING PIECES OF PHOTOGRAPHIC AND THEATRICAL HISTORY OFFERED TOGETHER!
A Spectacular Photograph – And the Story Behind It
Created in 1983 by celebrated British advertising photographer Michael Joseph, this extraordinary photograph promoted Spartacus, a theatrical production directed by renowned French actor and director Jacques Weber at Lyon's Théâtre du Huitième.
And what a spectacle!
A magnificent gathering of gladiators, warriors, women and wonderfully eccentric characters fills the frame. Tridents pierce the smoky air, flames rage in the background, and an extraordinary assortment of expressions and gestures creates a scene of glorious theatrical mayhem.
Some characters are shouting, others laughing, while a few look positively bewildered by the chaos surrounding them!
Yet somehow, every element falls perfectly into place.
This is Michael Joseph doing what he did best: orchestrating chaos with extraordinary precision.
Joseph was celebrated for his elaborate group compositions, frequently involving large casts, eccentric personalities and animals. His legendary photographs for The Rolling Stones' Beggars Banquet (1968) remain perhaps his most famous achievement.
Indeed, his remarkable ability to photograph people and animals together was instrumental in the Stones choosing him for that iconic assignment.
Fifteen years later, Spartacus demonstrates that same unmistakable talent for transforming an apparently impossible gathering into a perfectly balanced photographic spectacle.
Who Was Jacques Weber?
Born in Paris in 1949, Jacques Weber is one of France's most distinguished actors and theatre directors, celebrated for his commanding stage presence and interpretations of classical theatre.
A graduate of the prestigious Conservatoire national supérieur d'art dramatique, he became particularly associated with major theatrical roles, including Cyrano de Bergerac, and has enjoyed an extensive career in French cinema and television.
He also directed and managed important French theatres, including the Théâtre du Huitième in Lyon, where this production of Spartacus was staged in 1983.
This photograph therefore brings together two remarkable creative figures: a British master of theatrical photography and a leading personality of French theatre.
An Ambitious Advertising Campaign – Lyon, 1983
The photograph was commissioned for a striking publicity campaign created by RSCG Ferton/Billère, an advertising agency based in Lyon.
The accompanying original publication records that the Spartacus campaign appeared on walls throughout Lyon from 26 April 1983, before extending to Paris and regional magazines.
At a time when theatrical publicity was often dominated by graphic illustration and typography, such an elaborate photographic composition represented a particularly ambitious approach.
It may even have been among the pioneering uses of large-scale photographic advertising for a French theatrical production, although its precise historical precedence remains to be established.
Imagine this extraordinary crowd of gladiators appearing on advertising billboards throughout Lyon!
Rather than simply announcing a play, the campaign brought the spectacle itself onto the streets.
Personally Dedicated to Jacques Weber
Beneath the photograph is the handwritten inscription:
“Spartacus – for Jacques Weber – Michael Joseph”
The original brown-toned photographic print has been personally titled and signed by Michael Joseph.
Presented in a white bevel-cut mount, ready for framing, the reverse also bears a Michael Joseph Pictures Ltd studio label.
A wonderful personal connection between photographer and theatrical director.
ALSO INCLUDED – The Original Illustrated Advertising Book!
The successful bidder will receive BOTH the signed photographic print AND the original illustrated publication shown in the photographs.
This contemporary French advertising book provides a fascinating account of the campaign's conception and production, including:
Extensive colour reproductions of the Spartacus photographs.
Behind-the-scenes images of the elaborate set, costumes and performers.
Photographs of Michael Joseph himself directing the action behind the camera.
Contemporary commentary explaining the creative concept and considerable logistical challenges.
The explicit credit “Photos Spartacus : Michaël Joseph.”
Further examples of French advertising photography and design from the period.
The publication also reveals that the agency had worked with Joseph for five years, praising his remarkable ability to bring ambitious photographic concepts to life.
The finished photograph and the contemporary story of its creation – offered together in one fascinating lot.
A Little Family History – And a Leg of Lamb!
One particularly amusing detail comes directly from the photographer's daughter, Justine Joseph:
“I was just 11 years old when my dad sent me off on my bicycle to the local butcher's to buy the leg of lamb that one of the characters is enthusiastically devouring in the photograph! Little did I imagine that my humble shopping expedition would become part of photographic history!”
A rather wonderful reminder of the resourcefulness, spontaneity and occasional absurdity involved in creating Michael Joseph's famously extravagant productions!
The Two Items Offered
1. Original Michael Joseph Photographic Print
Original brown-toned photographic print.
Hand-titled Spartacus.
Personally dedicated for Jacques Weber.
Hand-signed by Michael Joseph.
Presented in a white bevel-cut mount, ready for framing.
Michael Joseph Pictures Ltd studio label on reverse.
Directly from the Michael Joseph Family Archive.
2. Original Illustrated Advertising Publication
Contemporary French advertising book documenting the Spartacus campaign.
Extensive colour photography and behind-the-scenes documentation.
Photographs of Michael Joseph at work.
Original Michael Joseph studio address sticker from Clapham, London, on the back page.
Condition note: The publication shows signs of age and handling, including damage to the first page, minor wear to the edges and some deterioration around the binding, all illustrated in the accompanying photographs. Fortunately, the photographic pages remain in good condition. Please examine the detailed photographs carefully.
Both items are included in this auction and will be supplied together.
A Wonderful Piece of Photographic & Theatrical History
An extraordinary meeting of British photographic eccentricity and French theatrical exuberance, this lot combines a personally dedicated original photograph with a contemporary publication documenting its remarkable creation.
For collectors of Michael Joseph's photography, admirers of Jacques Weber, enthusiasts of French theatre or lovers of vintage advertising, it offers a particularly engaging glimpse into an era when producing a single publicity photograph could rival the theatrical production itself!
A cast of dozens, a theatrical inferno, a personal dedication, a wonderfully revealing book – and even a leg of lamb delivered by bicycle!
Offered directly from the Michael Joseph Family Archive.
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.
Michael Joseph – “Spartacus” (1983) – Original Signed & Dedicated Photograph + Illustrated Advertising Book
Lyon, France, 1983 | Original Brown-Toned Photographic Print | Hand-Signed & Dedicated to Jacques Weber | Original Illustrated Publication Included | From the Michael Joseph Family Archive
A Cast of Gladiators, a Forest of Tridents, Flames, Flesh and Glorious Mayhem – Michael Joseph at His Most Extravagant!
TWO FASCINATING PIECES OF PHOTOGRAPHIC AND THEATRICAL HISTORY OFFERED TOGETHER!
A Spectacular Photograph – And the Story Behind It
Created in 1983 by celebrated British advertising photographer Michael Joseph, this extraordinary photograph promoted Spartacus, a theatrical production directed by renowned French actor and director Jacques Weber at Lyon's Théâtre du Huitième.
And what a spectacle!
A magnificent gathering of gladiators, warriors, women and wonderfully eccentric characters fills the frame. Tridents pierce the smoky air, flames rage in the background, and an extraordinary assortment of expressions and gestures creates a scene of glorious theatrical mayhem.
Some characters are shouting, others laughing, while a few look positively bewildered by the chaos surrounding them!
Yet somehow, every element falls perfectly into place.
This is Michael Joseph doing what he did best: orchestrating chaos with extraordinary precision.
Joseph was celebrated for his elaborate group compositions, frequently involving large casts, eccentric personalities and animals. His legendary photographs for The Rolling Stones' Beggars Banquet (1968) remain perhaps his most famous achievement.
Indeed, his remarkable ability to photograph people and animals together was instrumental in the Stones choosing him for that iconic assignment.
Fifteen years later, Spartacus demonstrates that same unmistakable talent for transforming an apparently impossible gathering into a perfectly balanced photographic spectacle.
Who Was Jacques Weber?
Born in Paris in 1949, Jacques Weber is one of France's most distinguished actors and theatre directors, celebrated for his commanding stage presence and interpretations of classical theatre.
A graduate of the prestigious Conservatoire national supérieur d'art dramatique, he became particularly associated with major theatrical roles, including Cyrano de Bergerac, and has enjoyed an extensive career in French cinema and television.
He also directed and managed important French theatres, including the Théâtre du Huitième in Lyon, where this production of Spartacus was staged in 1983.
This photograph therefore brings together two remarkable creative figures: a British master of theatrical photography and a leading personality of French theatre.
An Ambitious Advertising Campaign – Lyon, 1983
The photograph was commissioned for a striking publicity campaign created by RSCG Ferton/Billère, an advertising agency based in Lyon.
The accompanying original publication records that the Spartacus campaign appeared on walls throughout Lyon from 26 April 1983, before extending to Paris and regional magazines.
At a time when theatrical publicity was often dominated by graphic illustration and typography, such an elaborate photographic composition represented a particularly ambitious approach.
It may even have been among the pioneering uses of large-scale photographic advertising for a French theatrical production, although its precise historical precedence remains to be established.
Imagine this extraordinary crowd of gladiators appearing on advertising billboards throughout Lyon!
Rather than simply announcing a play, the campaign brought the spectacle itself onto the streets.
Personally Dedicated to Jacques Weber
Beneath the photograph is the handwritten inscription:
“Spartacus – for Jacques Weber – Michael Joseph”
The original brown-toned photographic print has been personally titled and signed by Michael Joseph.
Presented in a white bevel-cut mount, ready for framing, the reverse also bears a Michael Joseph Pictures Ltd studio label.
A wonderful personal connection between photographer and theatrical director.
ALSO INCLUDED – The Original Illustrated Advertising Book!
The successful bidder will receive BOTH the signed photographic print AND the original illustrated publication shown in the photographs.
This contemporary French advertising book provides a fascinating account of the campaign's conception and production, including:
Extensive colour reproductions of the Spartacus photographs.
Behind-the-scenes images of the elaborate set, costumes and performers.
Photographs of Michael Joseph himself directing the action behind the camera.
Contemporary commentary explaining the creative concept and considerable logistical challenges.
The explicit credit “Photos Spartacus : Michaël Joseph.”
Further examples of French advertising photography and design from the period.
The publication also reveals that the agency had worked with Joseph for five years, praising his remarkable ability to bring ambitious photographic concepts to life.
The finished photograph and the contemporary story of its creation – offered together in one fascinating lot.
A Little Family History – And a Leg of Lamb!
One particularly amusing detail comes directly from the photographer's daughter, Justine Joseph:
“I was just 11 years old when my dad sent me off on my bicycle to the local butcher's to buy the leg of lamb that one of the characters is enthusiastically devouring in the photograph! Little did I imagine that my humble shopping expedition would become part of photographic history!”
A rather wonderful reminder of the resourcefulness, spontaneity and occasional absurdity involved in creating Michael Joseph's famously extravagant productions!
The Two Items Offered
1. Original Michael Joseph Photographic Print
Original brown-toned photographic print.
Hand-titled Spartacus.
Personally dedicated for Jacques Weber.
Hand-signed by Michael Joseph.
Presented in a white bevel-cut mount, ready for framing.
Michael Joseph Pictures Ltd studio label on reverse.
Directly from the Michael Joseph Family Archive.
2. Original Illustrated Advertising Publication
Contemporary French advertising book documenting the Spartacus campaign.
Extensive colour photography and behind-the-scenes documentation.
Photographs of Michael Joseph at work.
Original Michael Joseph studio address sticker from Clapham, London, on the back page.
Condition note: The publication shows signs of age and handling, including damage to the first page, minor wear to the edges and some deterioration around the binding, all illustrated in the accompanying photographs. Fortunately, the photographic pages remain in good condition. Please examine the detailed photographs carefully.
Both items are included in this auction and will be supplied together.
A Wonderful Piece of Photographic & Theatrical History
An extraordinary meeting of British photographic eccentricity and French theatrical exuberance, this lot combines a personally dedicated original photograph with a contemporary publication documenting its remarkable creation.
For collectors of Michael Joseph's photography, admirers of Jacques Weber, enthusiasts of French theatre or lovers of vintage advertising, it offers a particularly engaging glimpse into an era when producing a single publicity photograph could rival the theatrical production itself!
A cast of dozens, a theatrical inferno, a personal dedication, a wonderfully revealing book – and even a leg of lamb delivered by bicycle!
Offered directly from the Michael Joseph Family Archive.
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
1983
Artist
Michael Joseph (1941-)
Sold by
Owner or reseller
Title of artwork
Spartacus darkroom print & "Star Stratégie" photo-shoot book
Condition
Original State
Technique
Gelatin-silver print
Height
17.5 cm
Edition
Vintage darkroom edition, & RSCG Ferton Billerie book
Width
22.5 cm
Signature
Hand signed
Genre
Fine art photography
Sold by
