The Thrill of the Chase: The Wagstaff Collection of Photographs

Butterflies, 1935. Man Ray (American, 1890–1976). Carbro print. The J. Paul Getty Museum. © Man Ray Trust ARSADAGP.

In 1973, with the assistance of his lover Robert Mapplethorpe, Samuel J. Wagstaff Jr. (American, 1921–1987) came to realize that photography was an underappreciated and undervalued art form. Over the next decade, Wagstaff assembled one of the most important private collections of photographs in the world. In 1984 he sold it to the J. Paul Getty Museum, where it became part of a group of major acquisitions that formed the Department of Photographs. This three-gallery exhibition presents a selection of Wagstaff’s collection, encompassing both masterpieces of the medium and obscure works that deserve attention.

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      The Thrill of the Chase - (Press Release)

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      The Thrill of the Chase - (Object List)

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MEDIA CONTACTS: 
Valerie Tate
Getty Communications 
(310) 440-6861
vtate@getty.edu