Leitz Photographica Auction is preparing to offer 120 exceptional photographs for sale in a special auction called "Motion," marking the centennial celebration of the groundbreaking Leica I camera, the first commercially available 35mm camera that revolutionized photography in 1925. The upcoming auction will feature works that capture the dynamics of social and aesthetic transformations, with movement serving as a central theme throughout the carefully curated selection of premium photographs from both the 20th and 21st centuries.

The Motion auction is scheduled to take place on October 30 at the Leica Gallery Vienna, with bidding available both online and by telephone. Starting October 17, highlighted lots from the auction will be displayed at the same gallery, giving potential bidders and photography enthusiasts an opportunity to view these exceptional works in person before the sale.

When the Leica I 35mm camera launched in 1925, it fundamentally transformed photography and provided artists with unprecedented freedom to capture their world. The camera's compact design allowed it to fit in a jacket pocket and was instantly ready for use, representing a dramatic departure from the slow-paced, bulky large-format cameras that dominated the era. This revolutionary device ushered in a new age of photography, enabling spontaneous and dynamic image-making that had previously been impossible.

While the auction primarily celebrates 35mm photography in honor of the Leica I's lasting impact, it also includes significant large-format prints from master photographers. The crown jewel of the collection is Edward Weston's "Nude Study (Anita)" from 1925, created by the renowned American photographer who was a celebrated figure in the large-format photography community and co-founder of Group f/64. This vintage print is expected to command between €200,000 and €250,000, which translates to nearly $300,000 at current exchange rates.

"We are offering a rare vintage print of this iconic nude study – a work distinguished not only by its formal radicalism, but also by its year of creation, which both resonates with the Leica anniversary and signifies the threshold to photographic modernism," explains Caroline Guschelbauer, Head of Photographs at Leitz Photographica Auction.

The Motion auction showcases an impressive roster of photography legends, featuring works by iconic early photographers including Ansel Adams, Walker Evans, Manuel Álvarez Bravo, Berenice Abbott, Ruth Bernhard, August Sander, Brassaï, and Horst P. Horst. The collection also highlights influential post-war photographers such as Otto Steinert, Harry Callahan, Aaron Siskind, Henri Cartier-Bresson, Elliott Erwitt, Ernst Haas, Garry Winogrand, Joel Meyerowitz, and Helmut Newton.

Notable lots include Otto Steinert's "Ein-Fuß-Gänger, Paris" from 1950, estimated at €20,000 to €25,000, and Joel Meyerowitz's "Florida" from 1978, valued between €10,000 and €14,000. Ansel Adams' "Mount Williamson, from Manzanar, Sierra Nevada, California" from 1944 is estimated to sell for €7,000 to €8,000, while Howard L. Bingham's historic photograph "Muhammad Ali after knocking out Sonny Liston" from 1965 carries an estimate of €2,200 to €2,600.

Contemporary photographers are also well-represented in the auction, with featured works by modern masters including Hiroshi Sugimoto, Nobuyoshi Araki, Nan Goldin, Alison Jackson, Sissi Farassat, and Paul Cupido. This diverse selection demonstrates the evolution of photographic expression across multiple generations and artistic movements.

"With this centenary auction, Leitz Photographica Auction highlights its commitment to curating works of museum quality, historical significance, and lasting collectability – an offering that speaks both to seasoned collectors and to newcomers with a passion for art," concludes Guschelbauer.

Alexander Sedlak, Managing Director of Leitz Photographica Auction, expressed his enthusiasm for the carefully curated selection: "I am very pleased that this carefully curated selection once again reflects the diversity of photographic expression, while staying true to our mission of sharing the fascination of photography with enthusiasts, connoisseurs, and collectors. Leica Gallery Vienna, which throughout the year welcomes international stars of the photography scene to Austria while also offering an important platform for local newcomers, provides us with the perfect venue."

The complete online catalog for the Motion photo auction is now available on the Leitz Photographica Auction website, and pre-bidding has already commenced. The live auction will begin on October 30 at 6:30 PM Central European Time, which corresponds to 1:30 PM Eastern Daylight Time for bidders in the United States.