Karl Pollak Sold at Auction Prices

b. 1903 - d. 1983

Karl Pollak (1903-1983) was born in Vienna, Austria. Trained as a baker and confectioner, he changed his career to photography after an accident at work. In the mid 1940's, he worked as a portrait photographer in England. His portraits were of distinguished notaries and professionals from the world of architecture, art and music, politics and medicine. The majority of Pollak's portrait work included the sitters hands. He worked on the principle that they are often 'more expressive than our faces'. Collections of his work are held in the National Portrait Gallery in London and in the Bradford Autographic Museum.

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    • Pollak (Karl, 1902-1983). A group of 14 large-format portraits, chlorobromide prints, c. 1950s
      Nov. 22, 2023

      Pollak (Karl, 1902-1983). A group of 14 large-format portraits, chlorobromide prints, c. 1950s

      Est: £150 - £200

      Pollak (Karl, 1902-1983). A group of 14 large-format portraits, chlorobromide prints, c. 1950s * Pollak (Karl, 1902-1983). A group of 14 large-format portraits, chlorobromide prints, c. 1950s, largely close-ups of unidentified men and women, 2 mounted on card, images 50.5 x 40 cm, the 8 smallest photographs 38 x 30 cm QTY: (14)

      Dominic Winter Auctions
    • *Karl Pollak (1903-1983) PORTRAITS Twenty-three black and white photographs, including some ...
      Jun. 21, 2016

      *Karl Pollak (1903-1983) PORTRAITS Twenty-three black and white photographs, including some ...

      Est: £200 - £300

      *Karl Pollak (1903-1983)PORTRAITSTwenty-three black and white photographs, including some duplicateslargest 50.5 x 40.5cmKarl Pollak was born in Vienna in 1903. After training as a baker and confectioner, he went on to qualify as a journeyman. However, after an accident at work, he changed career and studied photography. At the outbreak of World War II, Pollak left Vienna for Colchester, Essex. After appearing before an Aliens Tribunal in 1942, he was interned at Kitchener's Camp, Richborough, Kent, before being transferred to Orange Camp in New South Wales, Australia. Eventually released from internment in 1943, Pollak became a portrait photographer in Wellington, then in London studios in Bond Street and The Strand. In October 1949 he became a British National.Between 1950 and 1964, he lectured on black and white portrait photography, and went on to exhibit both in the UK and abroad. The overall majority of Pollak's portrait work included the sitters' hands and, in the Photographic Journal of 1951, he explained that he worked on the principle that they are often 'more expressive than our faces; in the presence of strangers, people habitually try to hide their true selves behind mask-like faces, but hands always reveal their owners'. Much of his work is in the National Portrait Gallery in London, and Bradford Autographic Museum also has a collection of his photographs.*Artist's Resale Right may apply to this lot.

      Sworders
    • Karl Pollak, (1902-1983), five original silver
      Dec. 01, 2010

      Karl Pollak, (1902-1983), five original silver

      Est: -

      Karl Pollak, (1902-1983), five original silver bromide portrait photographs, and other photographs, circa 1930s-1960

      Sworders
    • Karl Pollak, (1902-1983), five original silver
      Dec. 01, 2010

      Karl Pollak, (1902-1983), five original silver

      Est: £80 - £120

      Karl Pollak, (1902-1983), five original silver bromide portrait photographs, including Lord Cecil of Chelwood, Lord Matthews, Dean of St Pauls, Actor Ernest Thesiger etc (5) A collection of similar photographic prints are held in the National Portrait Gallery collection, 1940's

      Sworders
    • Karl Pollak, (1902-1983), five original silver
      Dec. 01, 2010

      Karl Pollak, (1902-1983), five original silver

      Est: £80 - £120

      Karl Pollak, (1902-1983), five original silver bromide portrait photographs, including Dr Matthews Dean of St Pauls, Actor Ernest Thesiger etc (5) A collection of similar photographic prints are held in the National Portrait Gallery collection, 1940's

      Sworders
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