Lot no. 295
295. [Apollo 12] PORTRAIT OF PETE CONRAD WITH THE LM REFLECTED IN HIS GOLD-PLATED VISOR
Alan Bean, 14-24 November 1969, EVA 1
Printed 1969.
Vintage chromogenic print on fibre-based Kodak paper [NASA image AS12-47-6912].
With "A Kodak Paper" watermark on the reverse, numbered "NASA AS12-47-6912" in red in the top margin (issued by NASA Manned Spacecraft Centre, Houston, Texas).
20.3 x 25.4 cm. (8 x 10 in.)
Historical context
A portrait in reflection. Alan Bean captured this striking image of Pete Conrad while he was working at the Intrepid Lunar Module. Mesmerized by the reflection in Conrad's gold-plated visor, Bean called out to take his portrait—a moment preserved in the mission transcript.
116:33:36 Bean: (Wanting to take a picture) "Look at me, Pete." (Pause) "It's a good shot, babe. The LM and everything's reflecting in your visor."
Conrad is seen using a lanyard to pull the first of the scientific experiment packages from the LM's equipment bay. His Hasselblad camera is mounted on his chest's remote-control unit, while behind his head, the antenna of his portable life support system (PLSS) extends outward. Visible details include his cuff checklist and the contingency sample pocket mounted on his left thigh.
"I wish I could go back to the Moon, step out, everybody would go do whatever they had to do, and I could look, and talk about it, you know, record it. Look up-Sun. Look for those things as an artist would."
—Alan Bean (Chaikin, Voices, p. 178)
Literature
The View from Space: American Astronaut Photography 1962-1972, Schick and Van Haaften, p. 45 (variant)
Pictures credits: Contact organization
Photographs and film
About the sale04/28/2025
Catalog
FOR ALL MANKIND THE ARTISTIC LEGACY OF EARLY SPACE EXPLORATION: Victor Martin-Malburet Collection
75008 Paris - France