- Design Credit: Samantha Todhunter Design Ltd., Photo Credit: Oliver Clarke. Dimensions: H 28 in. x W 28 in.
- Design Credit: Lucy Harris Studio, Photo Credit: Francesco Bertocci. Dimensions: H 28 in. x W 28 in.
- Design Credit: Timothy Godbold, Photo Credit: Karl Simone. Dimensions: H 28 in. x W 28 in.
- Want more images or videos?Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 5
Laurence SalzmannSalto de Tigre2001
2001
$3,000

About
Listing is for UNFRAMED print. Inquire within for framing.
Edition of 5.
If the exhibition piece is sold or the customer orders a different print size, the photograph is produced upon purchase. Please allow two weeks for production.
Shipping time depends on method of shipping.
Price is subject to availability. The Robin Rice Gallery reserves the right to adjust this price depending on the current edition of the photograph.
Laurence Salzmann’s first solo show at the Robin Rice Gallery depicts the gritty world of wrestling in the city of Santiago de Cuba. The word “La Lucha” means both wrestling and struggle in Cuban Spanish. Here the dual meaning refers equally to the young wrestlers’ physical struggle and the Cuban people’s fight to survive in an economically and politically oppressed culture. Both rely on pride, ingenuity and an indomitable spirit as they strive to gain respect on the global stage.
Salzmann’s photographs reflect over a decade long passion that began on a trip to Santiago de Cuba to improve relations between our two countries. While there, Salzmann stumbled upon a gym where young boys aged 8-18 learn Greco-Roman style wrestling. Once home he could not get the silhouetted forms of young athletes in training out of his head.
This classical series of eighteen photographs, ranging in size from 11″ x 14″ to 20″ x 24″ are silver gelatin prints. Using his Hasselblad, Salzmann’s shots are un-posed and almost voyeuristic, revealing an intimate and universal portrait of human resilience. While Salzmann’s work is rooted in the social-documentary tradition, the exquisitely printed images tell a narrative of personal discovery that appeals to all ages and cultures. Taking early inspiration from American photographic greats such as Walker Evans and Paul Strand, Salzmann’s method is to create a relationship whereby the subjects feel comfortable with his presence.
In the invitational image, “Ascending”, we see four boys train using their only resources, their sinewy bodies and the primitive gym’s concrete stairs. Each boy grips the ankles of another, wheelbarrow style, as they climb the steps on their hands. The slanted staircase, the triangulated shapes of the boy’s limbs intertwined, and the brown bodies against the stark white wall create an arresting image that goes beyond its documentary origin to artistry. Viewed from afar it recalls the ancient Greek brush in red-figure technique used to decorate fine pottery.
In the image, “Jump of the Tiger”, a young man vaults across the back of another. The intense physicality of the wrestler’s movement is softened by the sway and grace of the body caught in air, almost dance-like in its arc.
Salzmann’s “La Lucha” photographs are complemented, both in this exhibit and the photographic book of the same name, by the expressive paintings of Cuban artist Luis El Estudiante. In ““Lucha con un Cocodrilo”, the artist portrays a wrestler standing triumphant over a crocodile, a wink in his eye. The painting reflects the Cuban attitude that makes light of the difficulty they encounter.
Black and White, Sports, Men, Gymnastics, Athletes, Athletic, Cuba, Cuban
Details
- Creator
- Creation Year2001
- DimensionsHeight: 28 in. (71.12 cm)Width: 28 in. (71.12 cm)
- More Editions & Sizes11x14Price: $1,00020x24Price: $1,75030x40Price: $3,000
- Medium
- Movement & Style
- Period
- FramingFraming Options Available
- Condition
- Gallery LocationNew York, NY
- Reference Number1stDibs: G11012711116
Shipping & Returns
- ShippingShips From: New York, NY
- Return Policy
This item cannot be returned.
1stDibs Buyer Protection Guaranteed
If your item arrives not as described, we’ll work with you and the seller to make it right. Learn More

About the Seller
5.0
Vetted Seller
These experienced sellers undergo a comprehensive evaluation by our team of in-house experts.
Established in 1990
1stDibs seller since 2010
92 sales on 1stDibs
Typical response time: 5 hours
More From This Seller
- Match PracticeBy Laurence SalzmannLocated in New York, NYListing is for UNFRAMED print. Inquire within for framing. Edition of 7. If the exhibition piece is sold or the customer orders a different print size, the photograph is prod...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Black and White Photography
MaterialsSilver Gelatin
- The CountdownBy Laurence SalzmannLocated in New York, NYListing is for UNFRAMED print. Inquire within for framing. Edition of 7. If the exhibition piece is sold or the customer orders a different print size, the photograph is prod...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Black and White Photography
MaterialsSilver Gelatin
- Arm ExerciseBy Laurence SalzmannLocated in New York, NYListing is for UNFRAMED print. Inquire within for framing. Edition of 7. If the exhibition piece is sold or the customer orders a different print size, the photograph is prod...Category
1990s Contemporary Black and White Photography
MaterialsSilver Gelatin
- Future ChampionsBy Laurence SalzmannLocated in New York, NYListing is for UNFRAMED print. Inquire within for framing. Edition of 7. If the exhibition piece is sold or the customer orders a different print size, the photograph is prod...Category
1990s Contemporary Black and White Photography
MaterialsSilver Gelatin
- TrainingBy Laurence SalzmannLocated in New York, NYListing is for UNFRAMED print. Inquire within for framing. Edition of 10. If the exhibition piece is sold or the customer orders a different print size, the photograph is pro...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Black and White Photography
MaterialsSilver Gelatin
- Preparing for the Wrestling ClassBy Laurence SalzmannLocated in New York, NYListing is for UNFRAMED print. Inquire within for framing. Edition of 10. If the exhibition piece is sold or the customer orders a different print size, the photograph is pro...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Black and White Photography
MaterialsSilver Gelatin
You May Also Like
Happy New Year, 1980 Vintage Signed Silver Gelatin Emulsion Print Photograph
By Laurence Salzmann
Located in Surfside, FL
this is a rare (possibly unique) vintage silver gelatin emulsion print of the artist's daughter, it is signed and dated 1980.
Laurence Salzmann is a native of Philadelphia who has w...
Category
1980s Modern Figurative Photography
Materials
Silver Gelatin
Photo Maniac's Diary
By Nobuyoshi Araki
Located in New York, NY
Nobuyoshi Araki
Photo Maniac's Diary, 1991, 1991/2018
gelatin silver print
image: 26 x 40.25 inches
paper size: 30 x 42.25 inches
Edition of 10
signed on label; Certificate of Authen...
Category
1990s Contemporary Black and White Photography
Materials
Silver Gelatin
Price Upon Request
"Kremlin" Photography 43" x 35" inch Ed. 2/3 by VLADIMIR CLAVIJO-TELEPNEV
By Vladimir Clavijo-Telepnev
Located in Culver City, CA
"Kremlin" Photography 43" x 35" inch Ed. 2/3 by VLADIMIR CLAVIJO-TELEPNEV
Eglomise (bromoil gelatin silver print, gold and silver leaf, and hand painted mirror)
Vladimir Clavijo-T...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Black and White Photography
Materials
Gold Leaf
Philip Johnson, New Canaan, Connecticut, 2002
By Annie Leibovitz
Located in New York, NY
Annie Leibovitz
Philip Johnson, New Canaan, Connecticut, 2002, 2002
Gelatin silver print
16 x 20 inches (image)
19.75 x 25 x 1 inches (frame)
AP 3
Signed
Dark wood frame. Window ope...
Category
Early 2000s Contemporary Black and White Photography
Materials
Silver Gelatin
Untitled (Calendar) – Lina Scheynius, Black and White, Photography, Woman, Light
By Lina Scheynius
Located in Zurich, CH
Lina Scheynius (*1981 Sweden)
Untitled (Calendar)
2013
Fibre-based silver gelatin print
Image 16 x 24 cm (6 1/4 x 9 1/2 in.)
Sheet 25 x 30 cm (9 7/8 x 11 3/4 in.)
Frame 31,1 x 36,2 c...
Category
2010s Contemporary Black and White Photography
Materials
Silver Gelatin
Open Hand
By Keith Carter b.1948
Located in Sante Fe, NM
Storytelling comes naturally for photographer Keith Carter whose East Texas roots have greatly influenced his penchant for creating extraordinary photographs from encounters with eve...
Category
Early 2000s Contemporary Black and White Photography
Materials
Silver Gelatin
Price Upon Request
Between Rounds - Chris Smith, Muhammad Ali, boxing, black & white, 34.5x48 in
Located in London, GB
Chris Smith (b.1937)
Between Rounds
silver gelatin fibre based print
20 x 30 in. / 34.5 x 48 in. / 46 x 66 in.
signed and numbered
printed later
This work is available in the follow...
Category
Late 20th Century Contemporary Black and White Photography
Materials
Photographic Paper, Silver Gelatin
Wrapping Up - Chris Smith, Muhammad Ali, Ali, black and white, boxing, 66x46 in
Located in London, GB
Chris Smith (b.1937)
Wrapping Up
1974
silver gelatin fibre based print
30 x 20 in. / 48 x 34.5 in. / 66 x 46 in.
signed and numbered
printed later
This work is available in the foll...
Category
1970s Contemporary Black and White Photography
Materials
Photographic Paper, Silver Gelatin
Mug Shot - Chris Smith, Muhammad Ali, boxing, black & white, 34.5x48 in
Located in London, GB
Chris Smith (b.1937)
Mug Shot
1971
silver gelatin fibre based print
20 x 30 in. / 34.5 x 48 in. / 46 x 66 in.
signed and numbered
printed later
This work is available in the followi...
Category
1970s Contemporary Black and White Photography
Materials
Photographic Paper, Silver Gelatin
Wrapping Up - Chris Smith, Muhammad Ali, Ali, black and white, boxing, 48x34.5in
Located in London, GB
Chris Smith (b.1937)
Wrapping Up
1974
silver gelatin fibre based print
30 x 20 in. / 48 x 34.5 in. / 66 x 46 in.
signed and numbered
printed later
This work is available in the foll...
Category
1970s Contemporary Black and White Photography
Materials
Photographic Paper, Silver Gelatin
Recently Viewed
View MoreThe 1stDibs Promise
Learn MoreExpertly Vetted Sellers
Confidence at Checkout
Price-Match Guarantee
Exceptional Support
Buyer Protection
Insured Global Delivery