Karel Appel

Waddington Galleries, Ltd., London
Galerie Beyeler, Basel
Galerie Michael Haas, Berlin
Sale: Sotheby's, London, Contemporary Art from the Collection of Michael Haas, 24 October 1996, Lot 60
Acquired directly from the above by the present owner

Basel, Galerie Beyeler, Karel Appel, 1988, no. 23, illustrated in colour
The Hague, Haagse Gemeentemuseum; Cologne, Josef Haubrich Kunsthalle, Karel Appel - Ik wou dat ik een vogel was, 1990-91, p. 102, illustrated in colour
Barcelona, Fundació Joan Miro, Karel Appel, 1991, p. 80, illustrated in colour
Berlin, Galerie Michael Haas, Karel Appel, Gemälde, 1996, no. 9, illustrated in colour

Colours: The colours are fairly accurate in the catalogue illustration, although the overall tonality is slightly brighter in the original. The catalogue illustration fails to convery the rich impasto throughout the original composition. Condition: The work is in very good condition. There are two tiny spots of paint losses to the lower right corner and to the lower right extreme edge associated with a few short cracks. The lower left and upper left corners are slightly rubbed. Two light tiny media accretions with adhering surface dirt are visible to the green pigment adjacent to the lower edge. There are two light rub marks: one to the red paint in the upper horizontal section and another to the upper centre of the red-orange paint on the left side of the composition. There are a few scattered minor surface cracks, to thicker passages of impasto, notably to the red paint in the lower right quadrant , to the blue paint on the left and right sides of the upper horizontal section and in a few places elsewhere. Very fine and unobtrusive horizontal hariline tension cracks are visible upon close inspection at intervals to the upper extreme overturn edge. No restoration is apparent under ultra violet light.
"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."