Karel Appel

Galerie Ulysses, Vienna
Galleria Arte 92, Milan
Acquired directly from the above by the present owner in 2005

Vienna, Galerie Ulysses, Karel Appel, 2002, illustrated in colour
Milan, Galleria Arte 92, Karel Appel, 2005, pp. 40-41, illustrated

Colours: The colours in the catalogue illustration are fairly accurate, although the overall tonality is brighter and more vibrant, with the red of the upper section tending more towards fire red, the green stroke at the centre of the lower part to sea green and blue in the top right quadrant to a lighter cobalt blue in the original. The catalogue illustration does not fully capture the rich surface texture and impasto apparent in the original. Condition: This work is in very good condition. Faint handling marks are visible to places on the extreme vertical edges and to the lower left corner, and there two small rub marks to the centre and lower centre of the right extreme edge. There are some light spots of wear around the extreme edges and corners to the work with some fine and stable hairline tension cracks in places to the extreme overturn edges. Very light canvas draw is visible to the lower right corner. Close inspection reveals a tiny loss to the right side of the lower edge. There are a few fine and stable drying cracks to the white pigment in the lower left quadrant and further fine isolated cracks, some with raised edges, elsewhere to the composition. In a few isolated places scattered throughout there are tiny breaks to the impasto peaks. There is a small spot of pigment lifting to the white impasto on the left of the lower right quadrant. There is some slight discolouration around the edges of the impasto where the oil has soaked into the canvas, including to the black pigment at the centre of the right edge, and the green pigment on the left of the lower edge (visible in the catalogue illustration), inherent to the artist's choice of media. No restoration is apparent under ultraviolet 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."