William Eggleston's series "Two and a Quarter" refers to a specific format of photography rather than a traditional series with a thematic narrative. Eggleston is renowned for his pioneering work in color photography, particularly his use of the 2¼ square format, which refers to the medium format film size (approximately 6x6 cm) used in cameras like the Rolleiflex and Hasselblad.
Eggleston's choice of this format allowed him to capture scenes with a square aspect ratio, which was less common in mainstream photography during his early career in the 1960s and 1970s. His photographs often depict everyday scenes and objects in the American South, where he lived and worked. Eggleston's mastery of color and composition within this square frame became distinctive and influential in the world of photography.
The term "Two and a Quarter" encapsulates Eggleston's technical approach and his contribution to elevating color photography to an art form in its own right, challenging the dominance of black-and-white photography in the art world at that time. His work in this format continues to be celebrated for its vividness, attention to detail, and the subtle narratives it suggests about American life and culture.
$55,000 Each