Philip Guston

Estate of the artist
David McKee Gallery, New York
James Erskine, Sydney

Colour: The colours in the catalogue illustration are fairly accurate although the overall tonality is deeper and richer except the blue is slightly lighter in the original. The background colour has more blue throughout in the original. Condition: This work is in very good condition. There is a very small media accretion towards the lower right edge in the grey shape. There is very minor craquelure towards the centre right edge. There is a sigmoid crack to the right of the bottom right hand quadrant. There is a minute paint loss along the lower black line at the centre of the lower right quadrant. Examined under ultra-violet light there is a small spot of inpainting in the lower left corner, one towards the lower right corner and one along the bottom edge.
"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."

"Could it be that Odessa is not a fantasy at all - in my blood somehow?"  The artist cited in: William Corbett, Philip Guston's Late Work: A Memoir, Cambridge, Massachusetts 1994, p. 13