Mostra di Henry Moore.

First edition of the catalogue for the landmark 1972 Henry Moore retrospective at the Forte di Belvedere in Florence, the most significant exhibition of the sculptor’s lifetime. Quarto, written in Italian, original photographic wrappers, profusely illustrated with reproductions of Moore’s sculpture and drawings. Association copy, inscribed by the artist on the front free endpaper to the celebrated portrait photographer Yousuf Karsh and his wife Estrellita, “To Estrellita & Yousuf with best wishes from Henry Moore. Much Hadham. October 31st/72.” Dated from the sculptor’s home at Much Hadham only weeks after the Florence exhibition closed. Karsh photographed Moore on several occasions over more than two decades, beginning with a celebrated portrait taken in the sculptor’s studio in 1949, and the two men were long-standing friends. The recipient, Yousuf Karsh, is recognized as one of the leading photographers of the twentieth century. Arriving in Canada in 1924 as an Armenian refugee, Karsh eventually settled in Ottawa. Over six decades, he mastered the art of portraiture and created a unique chronicle of his time through images of celebrated legends. Some of his most notable subjects include Winston Churchill, Audrey Hepburn, Martin Luther King, Jr., John F. Kennedy, and Ernest Hemingway, among others. A celebrity in his own right, he was an elegant and charming public figure, captivating audiences with compelling stories told in images and words. Karsh sought to capture, as he put it, the “elusive moment of truth,” revealing the essential nature of his subjects as reflected in their eyes, hands, and attitudes. From the collection of Yousuf Karsh with his estate label. Held by the Estate of Yousuf & Estrellita Karsh; after Yousuf’s death in 2002 passing to Estrellita Karsh; after Estrellita’s death in March 2025 passing to Katherine Getchell. In near fine condition with light creasing and toning. Cover photograph by Jacopo Detti.