Previous LotNext lot

Weegee (American, 1899–1968)
LOT ID: 74988
Murder in Hell's Kitchen, ie. circa 1940

Silver Print, Gelatin silver print
20 х 16 in. cm.
Stamped, twice on verso. Numbered 8910, verso, lower right.
Lot description
Printed c. 1960.

By lowering his perspective, to the level of the street, Weegee rendered his mob-hit murder photographs with a dynamic sense of their harsh reality.

As legend tells it, Arthur Fellig earned the nickname Weegee during his early career as a freelance press photographer in New York City. His apparent sixth sense for crime often led him to a scene well ahead of the police. Observers likened this sense, actually derived from tuning his radio to the police frequency, to the Ouija board, the popular fortune-telling game. Spelling it phonetically, Fellig took Weegee as his professional name.

With his subjects ranging from wild-eyed adolescent onlookers at a late night gangland slaying to glassy-eyed starlets at Hollywood movie premieres, Weegee could be considered one of the first ambulance chasers. He was as flamboyant as some of his subjects, creating his own mythology, reveling in his own notoriety as well as that of his subjects, and even stamping the backs of his pictures with "Credit Photo by Weegee the Famous."

Weegee also worked in Hollywood as a filmmaker, performer, and technical consultant. His 1945 book Naked City was the inspiration for the 1947 film The Naked City. The Public Eye (1992), starring Joe Pesci, was based on the man himself. [getty.edu]
  • Literature and Catalogue Raisoneé
  • Condition Report
  • Shipping Information
  • Payment and Return Policies
Murder in Hell's Kitchen by Weegee
  • Murder in Hell's Kitchen by Weegee
  • Murder in Hell's Kitchen by Weegee
  • Murder in Hell's Kitchen by Weegee
Alternate Views: 1 of 1
Share |
Add Weegee to My Artist Alert
Receive email alerts as soon as artists you follow are up for sale. Update your artist watch list any time.

Sales Results for Comparable Works

To help you value the lot, artnet Auctions specialists have selected similar auction results from the artnet Price Database.
For more comparables, subscribe or log in to the Price Database now.
  • Weegee

    Murder in Hell's Kitchen
    gelatin silver print, mntd
    (H 13.4, W 10.7) in.
    (34 x 27.2) cm.
    Sold for: US$5,013
    Thursday, December 01, 2011
    Lempertz
    Lot 00109
  • Weegee

    Mob rubout, Little Italy, New York City
    gelatin silver print
    (H 9.4, W 7.8) in.
    (23.8 x 19.7) cm.
    Sold for: US$6,875
    Monday, December 13, 2010
    Christie's New York
    Lot 00140
  • Weegee

    Corpse with gun
    gelatin silver print
    (H 13.5, W 10.6) in.
    (34.2 x 26.9) cm.
    Sold for: US$12,000
    Wednesday, February 14, 2007
    Christie's New York
    Lot 00101

artnet Analytics Data

Looking for in-depth market analysis on this artist’s performance? Inform your buying and selling decisions with artnet Analytics Reports.
Build your report or contact us now!
artnet Auctions—Buy and sell art 24/7 worldwide. ©2013 Artnet Worldwide Corporation. All rights reserved. artnet® is a registered
trademark of Artnet Worldwide Corporation. Call for Assistance: US +1-877-388-3256, EU +49 (0)30 20 91 78 50