Nicolas de Staël

Jacques Dubourg, Paris
Maurice Coutot, Paris
Jacques Wertheimer, Paris
Arnold Maremont, Chicago
Vente: Sotheby's, Londres, 4 décembre 1986, lot 636
Collection privée, Paris

Paris, Galerie Jacques Dubourg, Nicolas de Staël, Peintures, 1950
Paris, Galerie Melki, Quatre Russes à Paris (vers les années 50), 1984, p.33, illustré en couleurs
Paris, Galerie Schmit, 25ème exposition Maîtres Français XIXe-XXe siècles, 1987, no. 56, illustré en couleurs
Saint-Paul, Fondation Maeght, Nicolas de Staël, Rétrospective de l'oeuvre peint, 1991 ; catalogue, p.61, no.17, illustré en couleurs
Madrid, Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofia, Nicolas de Staël Retrospectiva, 1991, no.17, illustré en couleurs
Paris, Galerie Schmit, Maîtres Français XIXe-XXe siècles, 1994, no.54, illustré en couleurs
Francfort, Schirn Kunsthalle Frankfurt, Nicolas de Staël, Retrospektive, 1994, no.43, illustré en couleurs

Julien Alvard, Roger van Gindertael, Témoignages pour l'art abstrait, Paris, 1952, p. 267, illustré
Françoise de Staël et Jacques Dubourg, Catalogue Raisonné des Peintures, Paris, 1968, p.121, no.199, illustré (mesures et dates erronées)
Françoise de Staël, Nicolas de Staël, Catalogue Raisonné de l'Oeuvre Peint, Neuchâtel, 1997, p.260, no.190, illustré

The colours are fairly accurate in the catalogue illustration, although the overall tonality is lighter in the original. Also, the abstract "E" form, along the left side of the composition, tends to dark mauve in the original (rather than black in the catalogue illustration). The work is in very good condition. Two stable cracks are visible upon very close inspection in the upper right corner (approx. 2 cm) and in the upper center areas (approx. 3 cm). A stable micro-crack is visible under very close inspection (approx. 10 cm), running vertically/horizontally in the upper center area. The work is unlined and no trace of retouching fluoresces under UV-light.
"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. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

signed; signed and dated on the back; oil on canvas. Executed in 1949.

« Joie de peindre ! Cuisine de sorcier ! Tout de suite, Nicolas de Staël en vient à l'essentiel, ce pourquoi un peintre est peintre : une matière touchée, remuée, transfigurée (...). Pour Nicolas de Staël, il n'y en a jamais assez : il pose, il empâte, et superpose. » (Pierre Courthion, préface à l'exposition Nicolas de Staël, Montevideo, Octobre 1948)

Palette de Nicolas de Staël, dans son atelier rue Gauguet, Paris, 1953. © Antoine Tudal