Michael Joseph (1941-) - Nivea now in tubs - frontal edition soft-brown toned authentic darkroom test print
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Current bid
€ 57
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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
“Nivea Nude, London ’80s”
Original darkroom print, in an upcycled goldy frame
A study in simplicity and strength - intimate, elegant, and unmistakably of its era.
This rare vintage print offers a quieter, more contemplative moment from a Nivea advertising commission in the 1980s.
Where the final published campaign chose a safer, more conventional pose, this earlier frame reveals something far more compelling:
a portrait of calm poise, unguarded beauty, and the gentle confidence of a woman entirely at ease in her own form.
The Composition
Soft, diffused light shapes the model’s figure with clarity and restraint.
A simple white cloth wraps gracefully around her hips — a minimal gesture that heightens the photograph’s sense of purity and poise.
Her posture is relaxed, almost serene, the tilt of her head giving the image a quiet introspection.
The clean, marble-like backdrop amplifies the sculptural quality of the pose, allowing the viewer to focus solely on line, light, and presence.
A Story Untold
In the final campaign image, the model faced away from the camera — a decision made to suit commercial expectations of the time.
This version, where she faces us, was left behind on the contact sheet.
Yet it is precisely this earlier moment that feels the most human:
a portrait that embraces honesty over perfection, presence over polish.
Framed in Grandeur
Presented in an ornate, gilded frame with baroque flourishes, width 38,5cms height 53cms.
The richness of this timeless mount contrasts beautifully with the photograph’s spare modernism —
a deliberate interplay that elevates the work and lends it a sense of timeless gravitas.
Why This Piece
A rare, unpublished alternative from a notable advertising commission.
An authentic piece from the photographer’s archive.
A striking artwork that celebrates natural grace and the quiet power of simplicity.
A conversation piece: sensitive, stylish, and evocative.
A moment reclaimed. A beauty redefined.
A distinctive addition to any collection of vintage fashion, advertising, or fine-art photography.
Bid now — and own the unseen.
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“Nivea Nude, London ’80s”
Original darkroom print, in an upcycled goldy frame
A study in simplicity and strength - intimate, elegant, and unmistakably of its era.
This rare vintage print offers a quieter, more contemplative moment from a Nivea advertising commission in the 1980s.
Where the final published campaign chose a safer, more conventional pose, this earlier frame reveals something far more compelling:
a portrait of calm poise, unguarded beauty, and the gentle confidence of a woman entirely at ease in her own form.
The Composition
Soft, diffused light shapes the model’s figure with clarity and restraint.
A simple white cloth wraps gracefully around her hips — a minimal gesture that heightens the photograph’s sense of purity and poise.
Her posture is relaxed, almost serene, the tilt of her head giving the image a quiet introspection.
The clean, marble-like backdrop amplifies the sculptural quality of the pose, allowing the viewer to focus solely on line, light, and presence.
A Story Untold
In the final campaign image, the model faced away from the camera — a decision made to suit commercial expectations of the time.
This version, where she faces us, was left behind on the contact sheet.
Yet it is precisely this earlier moment that feels the most human:
a portrait that embraces honesty over perfection, presence over polish.
Framed in Grandeur
Presented in an ornate, gilded frame with baroque flourishes, width 38,5cms height 53cms.
The richness of this timeless mount contrasts beautifully with the photograph’s spare modernism —
a deliberate interplay that elevates the work and lends it a sense of timeless gravitas.
Why This Piece
A rare, unpublished alternative from a notable advertising commission.
An authentic piece from the photographer’s archive.
A striking artwork that celebrates natural grace and the quiet power of simplicity.
A conversation piece: sensitive, stylish, and evocative.
A moment reclaimed. A beauty redefined.
A distinctive addition to any collection of vintage fashion, advertising, or fine-art photography.
Bid now — and own the unseen.
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
1985
Artist
Michael Joseph (1941-)
Sold by
Owner or reseller
Title of artwork
Nivea now in tubs - frontal edition soft-brown toned authentic darkroom test print
Condition
Original State
Technique
Gelatin-silver print
Height
39 cm
Edition
Vintage
Width
25.5 cm
Signature
Signed
Genre
Nude
Sold by
