Eric Fischl

Edward Thorp Gallery, New York
The Sable-Castelli Gallery, Toronto
Acquired from the above by the present owner in 1981

Toronto, The Sable-Castelli Gallery, Eric Fischl, January 1985, cat. no. 11-499
Saskatoon, Mendel Art Gallery; Eindhoven, Stedelijk Van Abbemuseum; Kunsthalle Basel; London, Institute of Contemporary Arts; Toronto, Art Gallery of Ontario; Chicago, Museum of Contemporary Art; New York, The Broida Museum; New York, Whitney Museum of American Art, Eric Fischl: Paintings, February 1985 - May 1986, cat. no. 3, p. 33, illustrated in color

Douglas C. McGill, "Probing Society's Taboos - On Canvas," The New York Times, 2 March 1986, Sec. 2, p. 12
Arthur C. Danto, Encounters & Reflections: Art in the Historical Present, Berkeley 1997, p. 28
Arthur C. Danto, Robert Enright and Steve Martin, Eric Fischl: 1970-2000, New York 2000, p. 35, illustrated in color

This work is in very good condition overall. There is evidence of light wear and handling along the edges including a few pinpoint spots of loss along the top edge of the canvas and minor dents to the canvas at the upper right corner and along the bottom edge. The canvas is lightly soiled. The colors are bright and fresh. Under close inspection, a few unobtrusive pinpoint media accretions are visible and there is a very small, localized area of craquelure to the right of the chair approximately 8 inches from the top edge. There is a minor spot of loss at the bottom of the chair and there are a few thin scuffs in the lower left corner. Under close inspection and under raking light, a faint vertical drip accretion is visible at the lower right. Under Ultraviolet light inspection, there is no evidence of restoration. Framed.
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.

"The great thing about art is that when you re-experience something you have the chance to resolve it. So the work stands as a kind of permission, that it's okay to have these experiences, that it's okay to have these feelings. The paintings are ways that we can own up to life...For me, the whole point of painting is that it's a language. It's a technique for thinking, and my pursuit is to construct a thought that embodies feelings and is clear."

Eric Fischl