Karel Appel

Matthew Carone Gallery, Fort Lauderdale
Sale: Sotheby's, New York, Contemporary Art, 27 February 1990, Lot 40
Acquired directly from the above by the present owner

Colour: The colours in the catalogue illustration are fairly accurate, although the overall tonality is brighter and more vibrant, with the black in the top right quadrant tending more towards dark chocolate brown, the pale ochre to the right centre more to curry yellow, the dark blue in the lower right quadrant more to electric blue, and the yellow in the top left quadrant more to a soft green-yellow in the original. The catalogue illustration fails to convey the rich surface texture and the metallic silver pigment to the left bottom edge. Condition: This work is in very good condition. There are a number of scattered surface cracks throughout the composition, notably to the ochre pigment to the right of centre. Also, a number of tiny isolated losses to the impasto peaks are visible upon close inspection, as well as a few tiny further surface losses to the upper centre of the right edge, to the right of centre on the top edge, and in a few isolated places elsewhere. There are a few light spots of wear to the left edge, as well as some scattered fine hairline tension cracks to the extreme overturn edge. There is some very light surface dirt adhering to the composition throughout. Some very slight undulation is present to the canvas in the upper left corner. No restoration is apparent under UV 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."