HIGHLIGHTS

OF THE UPCOMING OSTLICHT PHOTO AUCTION IN VIENNA, 28th MAY 2026

ELFIE SEMOTAN (*1941)
Untitled (Backstage Helmut Lang), Paris 1992

ELFIE SEMOTAN (*1941) Untitled (Backstage Helmut Lang), Paris 1992

Estimated Value: 1,800-2,400 Euro 

Poster motif for the first exhibition in 2001 at WestLicht, “Elfie Semotan–Helmut Lang”, the first solo exhibition by the now internationally renowned photographer, who congenially captured the legendary designer’s style in her images.

FRANZ HUBMANN (1914–2007)
The legendary waiter Ali at Cafe Hawelka, Vienna 1957

FRANZ HUBMANN (1914–2007) The legendary waiter Ali at Cafe Hawelka, Vienna 1957

Estimated Value: 3,200-3,600 Euro

In 2004, this influential figure in modern photojournalism in Austria presented a key selection of his work at WestLicht; the photograph is one of his best-known works.

RENÉ BURRI (1933–2014)
Hacienda San Cristobal, Mexico City 1976
RENÉ BURRI (1933–2014) Hacienda San Cristobal, Mexico City 1976

Estimated Value: 20,000-28,000 Euro

Burri’s work fascinates with its masterful use of light, shadow, space and negative space. Measuring 120 x 180 cm, it is the largest piece he produced during his lifetime and was exhibited in 2006 in the “Utopia” exhibition at WestLicht.

BRYAN ADAMS (*1959)
Mickey Rourke, London 2005

BRYAN ADAMS (*1959) Mickey Rourke, London 2005

Estimated Value: 9,000-10,000 Euro

The Canadian musician and songwriter has been working successfully for many years as a photographer for designers and fashion magazines, as well as on portrait photography. His award-winning series featuring Mickey Rourke was exhibited at WestLicht in 2006; in 2013, Adams’ solo exhibition “Exposed” took place at OstLicht.

ALBERTO KORDA (1928–2001)
'Guerrillero Heroico' (Che Guevara), Havana, Cuba, March 5, 1960
ALBERTO KORDA (1928–2001) 'Guerrillero Heroico' (Che Guevara), Havana, Cuba, March 5, 1960

Estimated Value: 10,000-12,000 Euro

The photographer dedicated this large-format, early print of the legendary portrait to his muse and wife, Norka. In 2008, “The Iconic Image of a Generation” was the centrepiece of the exhibition of the same name at WestLicht.

PETER COELN (*1954)
'Death premonitions?', Jochen Rindt at the Salzburgring, Austria, August 30, 1970

PETER COELN (*1954) 'Death premonitions?', Jochen Rindt at the Salzburgring, Austria, August 30, 1970

Estimated Value: 2,200 - 2,800 Euro

At the age of 16, Peter Coeln photographed Jochen Rindt with his first camera. It marked the start of more than 50 years of passionate dedication to photography. “Jochen Rindt: Formula 1’s First Pop Star” was held at WestLicht in 2010, 40 years after the motorsport legend’s death.

ANTONIOU PLATON (*1968)
Muammar al-Gaddafi, New York City, September 2009

ANTONIOU PLATON (*1968) Muammar al-Gaddafi, New York City, September 2009

Estimated Value: 7,000-8,000 Euro

During the United Nations General Assembly in New York, Platon created a unique series of political portraits featuring democrats, dictators and peace activists, which was exhibited at WestLicht in 2012. From 31 May 2026, he will be exhibiting new works there under the title “People Power”.

WIM WENDERS (*1945)
Dusk in Coober Pedy, Australia 1978

WIM WENDERS (*1945) Dusk in Coober Pedy, Australia 1978

Estimated Value: 18,000-22,000 Euro

In his photographs, the renowned director challenges the expectations associated with certain places. His solo exhibition in 2012 at the OstLicht Gallery was entitled “Places, strange and quiet”.

ROGER BALLEN (*1950)
'Dresie and Casie, twins', Western Transvaal, South Africa 1993

ROGER BALLEN (*1950) 'Dresie and Casie, twins', Western Transvaal, South Africa 1993

Estimated Value: 25,000-30,000 Euro

Ballen’s idiosyncratic fascination with the grotesque and the abysmal struck a chord with the spirit of the times. His captivating yet unsettling images, exhibited at WestLicht in 2013, oscillate between documentary and fiction. His most famous photograph is available as an extremely rare vintage print.

MORIZ NÄHR (1859–1945)
'The Kiss' from Gustav Klimt's 'Beethoven Frieze', Vienna c. 1902

MORIZ NÄHR (1859–1945) 'The Kiss' from Gustav Klimt's 'Beethoven Frieze', Vienna c. 1902

Estimated Value: 2,000-3,000 Euro

“The Kiss” depicts the final scene of Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony, the “Ode to Joy”. Nähr’s documentation of Klimt’s masterpiece in a vintage collodion print is a rare collector’s item.

 

RUDOLF KOPPITZ (1884–1936)
Movement Study, Vienna 1925

ROGER BALLEN (*1950) 'Dresie and Casie, twins', Western Transvaal, South Africa 1993

Estimated Value: 45,000-60,000 Euro

This valuable large-format bromoil print dates from the period when Koppitz created his famous work, in which he combined elements of Modernism, the Vienna Secession and the Wiener Werkstätte.

KOJI TAKI (1928–2011), TAKUMA NAKAHIRA (1938–2015), YUTAKA TAKANASHI (*1935), TAKAHIKO OKADA (1939–1997), DAIDO MORIYAMA (*1938)
'Provoke', Tokyo 1968–1969

All three issues of the legendary magazine, subtitled “Provocative food for thought”, which combined photographs, essays and poems in a radical design. All three issues published in their original first edition are extremely rare.

Estimated Value: 30,000-36,000 Euro

All three issues of the legendary magazine, subtitled “Provocative food for thought”, which combined photographs, essays and poems in a radical design. All three issues published in their original first edition are extremely rare.