LEYLY MATINE DAFTARY | Girl with Flower n21

Collection of the Artist, Tehran
Private Collection, Tehran (acquired directly from the above)

Condition: This work is in good condition. Some spread and very faint craquelure across the painting in various areas in line with the age of the painting. Some pin hole sized paint loss to the centre right, upper right, centre left and some further paint loss across the lower edge. Upon closer inspection, a circular area of craquelure to her left arm. Some varnish stains to the dress. The painting could benefit from a surface clean and being re-framed. The canvas is sound and well-stretched. Some sign of repaint to the upper right and lower left areas under the UV light. Colour: The colour in the catalogue illustration is accurate, with the overall tonality being slightly softer in the original painting.
"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."

Sotheby’s is delighted to present a portrait by the Iranian artist Leyly Matin Daftary. Leyly's style of painting using a combination of expressiveness and minimalism provide the viewer with a voyeuristic insight into the personality and identity of her sitters. Her paintings are colored in the universal language of the arts, defying all borders and nationalistic identities.  Her naïve depiction of the present sitter is executed in the artist’s typically simple, flat-painted style; yet it is oddly dramatic and charismatic, encapsulating both a specific personality and the generic 'woman'.  We are honoured to be entrusted to sell this rare painting by Leyly which is reminiscent of a Tehran long forgotten. Girl with Flower n21 dating from 1966 is the epitome of Leyly's portraiture style-  there is a wistful, serene quality, achieving the height of this genre which aims to speak volumes about its subject.