Eileen Agar wearing her Ceremonial Hat for Eating Bouillabaisse
Photograph (Gelatin silver print) • Attributed to Eileen Agar (the subject and creator of the hat) in collaboration with a photographer, likely Joseph Bard or another member of the London Surrealist circle.
Style & Movement
Surrealism
Medium & Technique
Black and white gelatin silver photography involving staging and performance art documentation.
Creation Period
circa 1936
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 10 x 8 inches; Portrait orientation.
Subject Description
The artist Eileen Agar is shown in a portrait wearing her famous 'Ceremonial Hat for Eating Bouillabaisse.' The hat is a surrealist assemblage of found objects including a cork base, shells, and net. She is also holding an framed artwork featuring a palm/hand motif, emphasizing surrealist interests in organic forms, the subconscious, and the 'objet trouvé' (found object).
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Good (Based on digital image). The image appears to be a modern reproduction or a well-preserved vintage press print.
Estimated Market Value
$1,500 - $3,500 (for an authentic vintage print); $100 - $300 (for common modern reprints/press prints).
Auction Estimate
$2,000 - $4,000 for a documented vintage print.
Provenance History
Likely originated from the artist's personal archive or the London Surrealist Group records. Similar prints are held by the Tate and the National Portrait Gallery, London.
Art Historical Significance
A seminal image of British Surrealism. It highlights the role of female artists in the movement and the transformation of everyday maritime objects into totem-like artifacts. The hat itself is one of Agar's most famous sculptural works.
Notable Features
Includes the 'Ceremonial Hat' which was famously exhibited at the International Surrealist Exhibition in London in 1936. The palm/hand object held by the artist is another significant surrealist trope of the era.
Condition Issues
Visible cropping on the edges of the provided image and some graininess consistent with high-speed film or scanning a printed source.
Conservation Recommendations
Store in acid-free mounting, utilize UV-protective glass if framing, and maintain a stable temperature/humidity environment to prevent silver mirroring or foxing.
Collector Notes
Eileen Agar who took the photo?