A significant auction of 19th and 20th century photographs will take place on November 14 during Paris Photo, featuring the complete dispersal of works by renowned humanist photographer Léon Herschtritt (1936-2020) alongside his carefully assembled personal collection. This marks the first time Herschtritt's entire body of work and collection will be presented at public auction, offering a tribute to one of the great humanist photographers of the 20th century.

Léon Herschtritt established himself as a prominent figure among humanist photographers, working alongside legendary artists including Robert Doisneau, Édouard Boubat, Willy Ronis, Sabine Weiss, and Henri Cartier-Bresson. Throughout his career, Herschtritt demonstrated an exceptional ability to document his era by focusing on human dignity and people's relationships with the world around them. His photographic work spans images taken in Algeria, Africa, and Parisian life, consistently offering a deeply human perspective that captured childhood, women, and everyday life through his unique sensitivity.

"In photography, you can't cheat; when I see ten photos by an artist, I know who they are. What matters for a photographer is what they have in their heart," Herschtritt once explained, reflecting his philosophy toward the medium. His images became iconic, most notably a photograph of two people on the roof of a car in front of the Berlin Wall, captured in 1961 when he was only 25 years old. This image exemplifies the historical significance and emotional depth that characterized his work throughout his career.

The auction will showcase large-format prints and exhibition prints created by Philippe Salaün, recognized as one of the greatest printers of his era. Among the featured works are Herschtritt's striking portraits of notable personalities including Serge Gainsbourg, Catherine Deneuve, and Salvador Dalí, each reflecting his distinctive sensibility and artistic vision. His photography consistently conveyed a profound love for others, whether through his depictions of women or the delicate intimacy of his couple portraits, which were filled with sensuality that often bordered on eroticism.

When asked about the essence of quality photography, Herschtritt replied, "A good photo speaks to everyone, it crosses borders. A good photo tells a story." This philosophy guided his work and contributed to creating a sensitive body of work that restored faith in humanity. Beyond his role as a photographer, Herschtritt was also an accomplished antique dealer, gallery owner, and passionate photography collector, roles that informed his deep understanding of the medium's history and artistic value.

Herschtritt's personal collection, which will be offered at this sale, provides a comprehensive overview of photography's evolution from its earliest days to the modern era. The collection includes works by pioneering early photographers such as Gustave Le Gray, Alphonse Giroux, Édouard Baldus, Auguste Salzmann, Vallou de Villeneuve, and Jean-Baptiste Frénet. It also features pieces by modern masters including Lucien Hervé, Man Ray, André Kertész, and Sherril Schell, demonstrating the breadth of his collecting interests and expertise.

His close connections within the humanist photography community enabled him to acquire iconic images of the highest quality directly from the artists themselves. The collection includes significant works from Robert Doisneau, Édouard Boubat, Willy Ronis, Sabine Weiss, Izis, and Henri Cartier-Bresson, with most pieces being personally sent to him or bearing the artists' signatures, adding to their provenance and value.

The auction is scheduled for Friday, November 14, 2025, with two distinct sessions. The Dr. Elisabeth Schneider-Henn Collection and other works will be presented at 11:00 a.m., featuring lots 1 through 150. The Léon Herschtritt Collection will follow at 2:30 p.m., encompassing lots 151 through 510. Public exhibitions will be held on Wednesday, November 12, and Thursday, November 13, both from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Salle VV, located at 3 rue Rossini in Paris's 9th arrondissement.