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#PP-9 - "Masked Venus" - 6" x 8" Vertical - 1975, by Paul Paree - One of a bold series of photographs done by this much-acclaimed, So. California photographer. The series name was originally "Vita e Morte" (Life and Death), and began as experiments with a plaster mask of Venus de Milo, found in a shop in Hollywood. More recently, in their website, Paul has been referring to this as the "Venus" series. For an enlargement and much-expanded description, click on the thumbnail photo!- $450.00 Condition is VeryGood+, with a couple of minor imperfections which are only visible upon close inspection in strong, oblique light. This series, which ran more than a dozen photos, eventually was the subject of an exhibition at the California Museum of Science and Industry(CMSI) in the late 1970's. The work of Paul Paree and his partner Paul Martin Gerdes was also much in demand by the Los Angeles Times for their Sunday magazine "Home", as well as appearing in several photography magazines during the 1960's and 1970's. Residing in Hollywood, during their career they photographed many stars and notables including Brigitte Fonda and British royal photographer, Sir Cecil Beaton! Individual photographs of theirs have sold at Butterfield and Butterfield for sums in the $1000-$1500 range. Much of their life's work and papers now reside at the Getty Museum in West Los Angeles! Paul Gerdes died in 1997. Paul Paree still resides and works in Hollywood. We obtained this group from the estate of Stuart Iverson, former artistic director of CMSI, who became a friend of the photographers through his work on their exhibit. These are the only proofs known to have been made from the negatives from which the blow-ups were made that formed the CMSI exhibit. Each photograph is mounted on archival-grade board, and bears stickers on the back which denote the number within the exhibition series, Paul Paree's name, and the ultimate blow-up size used in the exhibition, which in this case was 30" x 40". There is also another handwritten sticker with the series name, title of the photograph, and "Paul Paree (signature) 1975 - Paul Gerdes Assist. Paree Gerdes Studio", in pencil in Paree's own hand! As additional provenance each photograph will be accompanied by a letter from us stating the circumstances of our purchasing this material, and guaranteeing its authenticity. Also a copy of our correspondence with Paul Paree in which he states how the series began and acknowledging how Stuart came to own the proofs.