HENRI MATISSE | Les Deux odalisques

Galerie Berggruen, Paris (acquired by 1963)
Galerie Dina Vierny, Paris (acquired by 1967)
Acquired from the above

Munich, Galerien Thannhauser, Henri Matisse, 1930, no. 133, illustrated in the catalogue
Montreal, Musée d’art contemporain de Montréal, L’Oeil du collectionneur, 1996-97, n.n., illustrated in the catalogue 
Montreal, Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, All for Art! Our Great Private Collectors Share Their Works, 2007-08, n.n.

Karen Thomson, ed., The Blema and H. Arnold Steinberg Collection, Montreal, 2015, no. 87, illustrated in color p. 85

This work is in very good condition. Executed on cream wove paper. The sheet has been hinged at two places along the upper edge of its verso. All four edges are deckled. There are a few extremely minor spots of foxing throughout the sheet. There are artist's pinholes to the upper left and upper right corners. There is a minor nick to the left and right edges of the sheet.
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.

Les Deux odalisques was made in preparation for a series of large, daringly colored canvases of one or more languorously reclining or seated women in various states of undress. This drawing bears the closest resemblance to a 1928 painting of two odalisques in the Moderna Museet, Stockholm.

The authenticity of this work has been confirmed by Georges Matisse.