Michael Joseph (1941-) - Cointreau teatime test print in off-white mount
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€ 25
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Selected by Kai Brückner
Over 35 years' experience; former gallery owner and Museum Folkwang curator.
Estimate € 600 - € 800
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Description from the seller
“Cointreau Teatime”
Michael Joseph, London, 1970
Original darkroom print, signed
A scene of domestic ritual — delicate, mischievous, and quietly electric.
At first glance, it’s an afternoon tableau:
a poised young woman with her cup and saucer,
an older lady leaning forward from her armchair,
the table set with cakes, lace, and polite intentions.
But linger a moment — and something shifts.
Is the hostess offering grace or judgement?
Is the guest reaching for the bottle or reaching for control?
And what about the Cointreau itself, standing boldly centre-stage,
a delicious intruder in an otherwise orderly room?
Every detail is a clue; every gesture, a performance.
The bottle’s label gleams like a mischievous wink.
The pastries sit arranged with ceremonial precision.
And the room — all soft light, bric-à-brac, framed prints and dried flowers —
becomes a perfect stage for this teatime drama.
Here, Michael Joseph turns a simple advertising brief
into a wry study of manners, class, and character.
Joseph’s brilliance lies in how he elevates the scene:
the humour is subtle, the atmosphere palpable,
and the narrative suspended in that charged moment
between politeness and something slightly more intoxicating.
If his Beggars Banquet images would later explode with swagger,
this piece simmers instead —
a quiet comedy, beautifully balanced,
where the real subject isn’t the liqueur at all
but the delicious tension between people.
Printed in 1970, this original darkroom print
shows the warm, sepia-edged richness typical of Joseph’s advertising work —
cinematic, character-driven, unmistakably his.
Preserved by the photographer’s daughter,
this vintage print remains a rare survival from the period,
a playful time capsule with enduring charm.
Mount size: 50 cm high × 40 cm wide.
It will be packaged with great care and devotion,
honouring both the history of the piece
and the craftsmanship behind these one-off surviving works
from Michael Joseph’s archive.
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 Translate“Cointreau Teatime”
Michael Joseph, London, 1970
Original darkroom print, signed
A scene of domestic ritual — delicate, mischievous, and quietly electric.
At first glance, it’s an afternoon tableau:
a poised young woman with her cup and saucer,
an older lady leaning forward from her armchair,
the table set with cakes, lace, and polite intentions.
But linger a moment — and something shifts.
Is the hostess offering grace or judgement?
Is the guest reaching for the bottle or reaching for control?
And what about the Cointreau itself, standing boldly centre-stage,
a delicious intruder in an otherwise orderly room?
Every detail is a clue; every gesture, a performance.
The bottle’s label gleams like a mischievous wink.
The pastries sit arranged with ceremonial precision.
And the room — all soft light, bric-à-brac, framed prints and dried flowers —
becomes a perfect stage for this teatime drama.
Here, Michael Joseph turns a simple advertising brief
into a wry study of manners, class, and character.
Joseph’s brilliance lies in how he elevates the scene:
the humour is subtle, the atmosphere palpable,
and the narrative suspended in that charged moment
between politeness and something slightly more intoxicating.
If his Beggars Banquet images would later explode with swagger,
this piece simmers instead —
a quiet comedy, beautifully balanced,
where the real subject isn’t the liqueur at all
but the delicious tension between people.
Printed in 1970, this original darkroom print
shows the warm, sepia-edged richness typical of Joseph’s advertising work —
cinematic, character-driven, unmistakably his.
Preserved by the photographer’s daughter,
this vintage print remains a rare survival from the period,
a playful time capsule with enduring charm.
Mount size: 50 cm high × 40 cm wide.
It will be packaged with great care and devotion,
honouring both the history of the piece
and the craftsmanship behind these one-off surviving works
from Michael Joseph’s archive.
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
1970
Artist
Michael Joseph (1941-)
Sold by
Owner or reseller
Title of artwork
Cointreau teatime test print in off-white mount
Condition
Original State
Technique
Gelatin-silver print
Height
34 cm
Edition
Vintage brown-toned edition
Width
34 cm
Signature
Hand signed
Genre
Fine art photography
Sold by
