Joseph Stella 1877 - 1946

Zabriskie Gallery, New York
Acquired by the present owner from the above, circa 1971

Fort Worth, Texas, Amon Carter Museum; Boston, Massachusetts, Museum of Fine Arts; Washington, D.C., National Museum of American Art, Smithsonian Institution, Visual Poetry: The Drawings of Joseph Stella, February-November 1990, fig. 80, illustrated p. 82

John I.H. Baur, Joseph Stella, New York, 1971, no. 72, illustrated

The following condition report has been prepared by Julius Lowy Art Conservation: The artwork is a mixed media paper collage which is oxidized and has mat burn and discoloration around all four edges. The collage has been adhered to an acidic mat support with masking tape and has staining and adhesive residue at all four corners. There is a substantial crease running horizontally across the center of the work with associated planar distortions at the left and right edges. The collage elements are lifting in certain areas as well as rippling and buckling along the edges. There is also a layer of embedded dirt with scattered staining throughout the blue paper background as well as on the collage elements. Ultraviolet examination reveals a fluorescence of normal artist materials with no evidence of prior restoration visible.The artwork is signed at the lower left in pencil: Joseph Stella. The appearance and stability of the artwork can be significantly improved with conservation treatment.
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.