- 248
Karel Appel
Estimate
50,000 - 70,000 GBP
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Description
- The Birdsman
signed; titled and dated 1986 on the stretcher
oil on canvas
- 243.8 by 193cm.; 96 by 76in.
Provenance
Galerie Beyeler, Basel
Sale: Christie's, New York, Contemporary Art, 23 February, 1994, Lot 40
Exhibited
Basel, Galerie Beyeler, Karel Appel, 1988, no. 35, illustrated
Condition
Colour: The colours in the catalogue illustration are fairly accurate although the overall tonality is deeper and richer, with the green tending more towards dark green and the hues of yellow towards primrose yellow. The catalogue illustration fails to convey the cream patches of paint adjacent to the central figure's right arm.
Condition:This works is in very good condition, there is wear to all four corner tips and to the centre of the left hand turnover edge. There are some very faint handling marks along the top edge of the canvas visibly on the primed section of white canvas. There is a 15cm faint vertical rub mark running down from the upper right corner and into the bird's tail. Some of the impasto peaks are missing in places throughout the composition. Upon very close inspection, there are scattered fine craquelures to the thickest areas of impasto in the body of the central figure. No restoration is apparent when examined 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."
"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."