So, unafraid to ask a favor, he contacted the city and asked for permission for the Rolls Royce to be parked on the sidewalk for the time necessary to set up the picture. He painted his most famous work, Guernica (1937), in response to the Spanish Civil War; the totemic grisaille canvas remains a definitive work of anti-war art.

Of course I was concerned for the Models’ safety, as some were daring enough to pose out on the crumbling sills.

I confirm that I have read this Important Notice regarding Condition Reports and agree to its terms. It depicts 41 colorfully dressed women standing in the windows of a brownstone building on East 58th Street on the Upper East Side of Manhattan, and two other women on the sidewalk near a Rolls-Royce car. Artworks like these of any era or style can make for thoughtful decor in any space, but a selection from our variety of those made in film, photographic film and archival pigment print can add an especially memorable touch. The indefatigable artist has been the subject of exhibitions at the world’s most prestigious institutions, from the Museum of Modern Art and Centre Pompidou to the Stedelijk Museum and Tate Modern. The models went into the building slated for demolition, climbed the old stairs, and took their places in the windows.

Much of the original work by this artist or collective was created during the 20th century and is mostly associated with the modern style. Even though Ormond is no longer with us – “The Girls in the Windows” will always have a life of its own. It is also a slice of time in history, as it captures a row of three classic New York Brownstones, which were demolished the day after the shoot. Finance is provided by PayPal Credit (a trading name of PayPal UK Ltd, Whittaker House, Whittaker Avenue, Richmond-Upon-Thames, Surrey, United Kingdom, TW9 1EH). Auction house experts have estimated it to be the most-collected and highest-grossing photograph of all time.

The richness of the photograph stems from the ability to appreciate it in different ways: either as a whole, as a rhythmic composition of color and form, formed by the pattern of windows, human figures and colorful dresses; or the viewer is drawn to explore its various parts, each woman presenting a different point of interesting story (Gigli’s wife is on the second floor, far right and the demolition supervisor’s wife is on the third floor, third from left). Perched from the fire escape of his studio, he was able to capture action happening across five floors.

The most famous of Gigli's favorite photographs were self-assigned, such as one of the legendary fashion photographs of the 20th century, Girls in the Windows. A Christie's specialist may contact you to discuss this lot or to notify you if the condition changes prior to the sale. The day before the buildings were razed, the 43 women appeared in their finest attire, went into the buildings, climbed the old stairs, and took their places in the windows. With a career spanning over four decades, Gigli's visual narratives appeared in prominent international publications such as TIME, LIFE, Paris Match, and Colliers.Some were bold enough to stand on the window jam (pre OSHA – of course) and some were framed by window. famous in the 1950s for his photographs of theater, celebrities, dance, and exotic people and places, was born in New York City. The GADCOLLECTION Gallery offers a wide choice of original art photographs, numbered and signed by the artists, to be found here .