Sigmar Polke

Mary Boone Gallery, New York
Thomas Amman Fine Art, Zürich
Private Collection, Switzerland

Colour: The colours in the catalogue illustration are fairly accurate, although the overall tonality is brighter, warmer and more vibrant, with the background tone tending more towards caramel and the strokes of black pigment more to chocolate brown in the original. The blue tones to the left and right part of the catalogue illustration are not present in the original. The catalogue illustration fails to fully convey the sheen of the surface apparent in the original. Condition: This work is in very good condition. There is a tiny spot of wear to the lower left corner, as well as one between the centre and bottom on the right extreme edge. There is a tiny paint loss towards the bottom of the right extreme edge, as well as scattered isolated tiny paint losses throughout. A number of extremely fine surface scratches are visible in raking light to the surface, the majority of which are probably inherent to the artist's working process. There are a few scattered isolated matrices of fine and stable craquelure, including to the upper left quadrant. There are a number of unobtrusive pale media splashes towards the top of the lower left quadrant. There are four small spots of inpainting to the lower right quadrant, two spots to the left of centre and right of centre just above the lower edge, and another spot to the lower edge of the upper left quadrant.
"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."

"Polke brings nature back into painting, not as motive, but through an act of natural forces..."
(Jutta Nestegard, Sigmar Polke: Alchimist, Oslo 2001, p. 13)