Georges Mathieu

Galerie Alfred Schmela, Düsseldorf
Acquired directly from the above by the present owner in 1970

Krefeld, Kaiser Wilhelm Museum, Sammlung Helga und Walther Lauffs - Amerikanische und europäische Kunst der sechziger und siebziger Jahre, 1983-84, no. 233

Colour: The colours in the catalogue illustration are fairly accurate, although the red semi circle of paint in the centre of the composition is much more vibrant in the original. The white also tends more towards ivory. Condition: This work is in very good condition. There are light dust fibres adhering to the creases around the thick layers of paint. There is minor wear, very faint tension cracks, and a few rub and handling marks to all four corners and along all four edges. There are two slightly darker rub marks towards the centre right edge and a few coloured rub marks to the bottom edge towards the left hand corner. There is a further very faint rub mark above the signature. There is light canvas draw along the right edge. There are some minor cracks to the impasto, notably to the white pigment, and some very minor losses in a few scattered places. There is a small loss to the black pigment to the centre of the top edge. There are two hairline cracks to the red pigment to the centre left of the composition and a few minor tiny spots of media accretion towards the centre of the bottom edge. Examination under ultra-violet light reveals signs of retouching in places along the extreme right edge, to the extreme top edge towards the right hand corner, and to the centre of the extreme top edge by the black impasto paint.
"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."