Lot 111
  • 111

FRANCIS BACON | Untitled (Pope) Slashed Canvas

Estimate
8,000 - 12,000 GBP
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Description

  • Untitled (Pope) Slashed Canvas
  • oil on canvas, mutilated
  • stretcher: 70 by 69cm.; 27½ by 27in.
  • Executed circa 1959.

Provenance

Gifted by the Artist to Ron Thomas
His sale, Ewbank Auctioneers Woking, 21st June 2007, lot 2015, where acquired by the present owner

Exhibited

London, James Hyman Gallery, Violence and Sensation, 5 September - 4 October 2008, cat. no.5 (loan only).

Condition

The canvas has been strip lined and undulates slightly in places. The central passage of the canvas has been removed by the Artist. There are a small number of resultant tears to the canvas, with some fraying to the weave of the canvas. There is a small puncture at the upper edge towards the centre. There is some craquelure in the pink pigment in the lower left corner, with some associated losses and flaking. There are some further flecks of loss in the lower third of the work. There are a number of scuffs to the surface. Inspection under ultra violet light reveals no obvious signs of fluorescence or retouching. The work is unframed. Please telephone the department on +44 (0) 207 293 6424 if you have any questions regarding the present work.
"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."

Catalogue Note

Francis Bacon was a good friend to Ron Thomas, who worked at the Marlborough Gallery in London over a period of 18 years, sending him cheques for his family at Christmas and giving him the present slashed canvas from his studio. The present work was examined by the Francis Bacon Research Project in November 2011. Copies of the reports with analysis dated 13/07/2012 and 14/01/2014 are included with the present lot.