Lot 14
  • 14

Wifredo Lam (1902-1982)

Estimate
275,000 - 375,000 USD
bidding is closed

Description

  • Sans Titre
  • signed lower right
  • oil on canvas
  • 20 7/8 by 25 5/8 in.
  • 53 by 65.1 cm
  • Painted in 1947.

Provenance

Private Collection, Madrid
Sale: Christie's, New York, Important Latin American Paintings, Drawings and Sculpture, May 15, 1996, lot 39, illustrated in color
Sale: Sotheby's, London, Contemporary Art, December 10, 1998, lot 115, illustrated in color
Private Collection, New York

Exhibited

Milwaukee, The Parick and Beatrice Haggerty Museum of Art, Marquette University, October 11, 2007-January 21, 2008; Miami, Miami Museum of Art, February 8-May 18, 2008; Long Beach, Museum of Latin American Art, June 12-August 31, 2008; St. Petersburg, Salvador Dalí Museum, October 2, 2008-January 10, 2009; Wifredo Lam in North America, no. 41, illustrated in color

Literature

Lou-Lourin Lam, Wifredo Lam Catalogue Raisonné of the Painted Work, Volume I, (1923-1960), Paris, 1996, no. 47. 41, illustrated

Condition

This work is not lined, and the stretcher may be original. The tacking edges seem to have been reinforced. The work is well stretched and well restored. It has probably become dirty over time and the finish is slightly waxy, but given the thinness of the canvas and the delicacy of the paint layer, it may be appropriate not to clean the work in this case. The reverse of the canvas shows some staining on the left side and bottom edge, suggesting that water damage may have been an issue. Across the bottom edge, there is an unpainted strip about 3 inches deep which contains almost all of the restorations to the picture. It is here that there have been losses that have received retouches. There may also be a break in the canvas in the lower right. There are very few restorations within the remainder of the picture, none of which are significant. Despite the fact that the work is slightly warmer than it would have been originally, it is recommended that the work be hung as is. (This condition report has been provided courtesy of Simon Parkes Art Conservation, Inc.)
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.