Memphis Tennessee Dolls On Cadillac Trunk Appraisal

William Eggleston, Memphis, Tennessee (Dolls on Cadillac Trunk), 1973

This is a framed William Eggleston dye-transfer photograph titled 'Memphis, Tennessee', dated 1973. It depicts a collection of approximately ten dolls, primarily baby dolls, arranged on what appears to be the trunk of a light-colored vehicle, prominently featuring a Cadillac emblem with a wreath and crest in the center foreground. The dolls vary in size, dress, and pose, with several baby dolls in white or light-colored dresses, some with bonnets or veils, and at least one doll in a darker, possibly red, garment. The background is a muted purple or blue, indicative of an outdoor setting under a sky. The photograph is known for its vibrantly saturated colors, characteristic of the dye-transfer process, a technique Eggleston often employed to achieve rich, continuous tones rather than the dot-matrix patterns of other printing methods. Visible color depth and subtle variations across the dolls' clothing and the car's surface suggest high-quality photographic printing. The frame is a slender, possibly gilded, wooden frame with a classic profile, showing minor wear consistent with its age. The visible signature 'William Eggleston' is located in the bottom right corner of the print. The condition of the print appears good, with no obvious signs of fading, tears, creases, or major damage, though a closer inspection would be required to confirm the integrity of the dye-transfer colors over time, as they can be susceptible to fading if not properly preserved. The composition and subject matter–mundane Americana rendered with intense, almost surreal color–are hallmarks of Eggleston's groundbreaking photographic style.