ANTONI TÀPIES | Deux Pieds

Galerie Maeght, Paris
Acquired from the above by the present owner in 1972

Mayenne, Château de Sainte-Suzanne; Paris, Musée d'Art Moderne de la Ville de Paris, Bourges, Maison de la culture, L'homme et son empreinte, 1974-1975; catalogue, np., no. 144
Saint Paul, Fondation Maeght, Tàpies, 10 July - 30 September 1976; catalogue, p. 91, no. 62, illustrated
Barcelone, Fundacio Joan Miro, Antoni Tàpies (Obra 1956-1976), 22 October - 5 December 1976; catalogue, p. 69, no. 57, illustrated

Roland Penrose, Tàpies, London, 1978, p. 99, no. 67
Josep Vallès Rovira, Tàpies Empremta (art-vida), Barcelone, 1982, np., no. 239
Anna Agustí, Tàpies, Catalogue Raisonné, Volume 3. 1969 - 1975, Paris, 1992, p. 238, no. 2429, illustrated

The colours are fairly accurate in the printed catalogue illustration although the overall tonality is lighter in the original work. The work is executed on its original canvas and is not relined. As visible in the Catalogue Raisonné of the artist and our printed catalogue illustration, circular forms are located on the surface and seem inherent to the artist technique and medium. A tiny loss is located along the right edge close to the rim, visible upon very close inspection only. There are two unvarnished areas along the upper edge. A small dent is located in the lower left quadrant. The overall surface presents diagonal hairline cracks, visible upon close inspection only. The lower area with thick medium present two vertical hairline cracks, one located next to the left foot, the second is located above the right foot and there is a small lack of medium on the upper edge of this area.
"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."

For Tàpies, the artist is a shaman, capable of shaping matter, discovering invisible and hidden signs in it, and bringing it to life: nothing is created, nothing is lost, matter only transfers from one to another form.