Robert Delaunay

Acquired from the artist

Dallas Museum of Fine Arts (on long term loan, 1967-2009)

In generally fair condition, this work has been recently cleaned and stabilized. Canvas has not been lined. Slightly undulating surface with depressions in upper left corner and in the white circle at bottom. Areas of vertical staining mostly towards extreme edges, probably as a result of water damage. There is a layer of surface dirt. A two inch tear in the blue pigment at lower left has been repaired and patched on the reverse. There is a fifteen inch diagonal surface scratch across the green and orange circle just below the center of the canvas. Under UV light: there is a twelve inch vertical line of inpainting in the red pigment at left and four two to three inch areas of inpainting in the blue pigment at lower left, one to address the aforementioned tear. There is a ten inch broken vertical line of inpainting in the blue pigment at upper right. There are also numerous scattered dashes and dots of inpainting which serve to cover small losses and surface stains; these small repairs are in many cases visible to the naked eye and alltogether, though most are quite small, probably comprise roughly twenty percent of the canvas surface overall.. Areas of white pigment show signs of a prior attempt at cleaning. Interested bidders are advised to view this work in person.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

Delaunay's desire to express the infinity of the universe in a single abstract painting is here exemplified. The repeated pattern of circles and spirals can be imagined to continue beyond the edges of the canvas, with little change indefinitely. The narrow composition enhances the idea of this 'endless rhythm', stretching out to infinity like a ladder.

Photograph taken by Eugene J. Lux of Robert Delaunay in his studio, standing next to the present work