Lot 144
  • 144

Josef Albers

Estimate
200,000 - 300,000 USD
bidding is closed

Description

  • Josef Albers
  • Study for Homage to the Square: Fall Gleam
  • signed with the artist's monogram and dated 62; signed, titled and dated 1962 on the reverse
  • oil on masonite
  • 24 by 24 in. 61 by 61 cm.

Provenance

Sidney Janis Gallery, New York
Acquired by the present owner from the above in June 1964

Exhibited

Amhest, Massachusetts, Mead Art Museum, Amherst College, Color Painting: A Special Loan Exhibition, February - March 1972, cat. no. 2, illustrated

Condition

The work is a "study for homage to the square." It is executed in oil on masonite, the rougher side of the masonite being painted with four squares which appear to be overlapping or nested within one another. Along the edges a line of the white primer is visible. As on all the work from "homage to the square," Albers noted all the media used on the back of the painting. The colors used in this work are (from center): Cadmium Yellow Pale Lemon Cadmium I Naples Yellow Naples Yellow Condition: The painting is in overall good condition. Under UV light, there is evidence of earlier inpainting throughout the surface, especially in the outer square. There is an unobtrusive dark spot visible under normal lighting condition in the center square. Under normal lighting conditions, the surface of the painting appears rather clean and fresh with minor evidence of inpainting visible in raking light. The white primer margin is clean. The work was recently cleaned by Contemporary Conservation Ltd., New York City at the recommendation of the Josef and Anni Albers Foundation. The painting is framed in a period silver metal strip frame.
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.