Sam Haskins

Vivi Inspecting Her Navel - 1963

Signed recto in pencil

printed on Hahnemühle Cotton Rag Baryta 308gsm by Sam - 2007

Sam Haskins’ Vivi Inspecting Her Navel, 1963 is an intimate and quietly playful portrait from the period surrounding his groundbreaking photographic books of the 1960s.

Against an almost completely white background, Vivi looks down at her body with an expression of curiosity and amusement. Haskins removes any elaborate setting or narrative detail, allowing gesture, light and the female form to define the photograph. The high-key composition gives the image a sense of softness and spontaneity.

Rather than presenting the nude as formal or overtly seductive, Haskins captures an unguarded moment. Vivi appears absorbed in her own world, giving the photograph a warmth and humour that became characteristic of his approach to photographing women.

Created in 1963, the image belongs to a formative period in Haskins’ career, when he was developing the distinctive visual language that would soon bring international recognition through Cowboy Kate & Other Stories. His combination of graphic simplicity, sensuality and personality challenged the conventions of traditional nude and fashion photography.

SIZE

16.53 x 23.38 in (41.98 x 59.38 cm) | Image 13.30 x 20.47 in (33.78 x 51.99 cm)

RARITY NOTE

The entire Sam Haskins archive is characterised by extreme rarity. To the best of our knowledge, this is the only signed print available.

COA

Individually stamped and certified by the estate. Each print purchase comes with a certificate of authenticity.