Equipo Crónica Active 1964-1981

Galería Maeght, Barcelona
Purchased by the present owner from the above in 1987

Barcelona, Galería Maeght, Equipo Crónica, 1981, illustrated in colour in the catalogue
Madrid, Biblioteca Nacional, Equipo Crónica, 1981, p. 15, illustrated in colour in the catalogue
Valencia, IVAM Centre Julio González; Barcelona, Centre de Cultura Contemporánea de la Casa de la Caritat; Madrid, Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía; Equipo Crónica 1965-1981, 1989, no. 91, illustrated in colour in the catalogue

Michele Dalmace, Equipo Crónica. Catálogo Razonado, Valencia 2001, p. 499, no. 38, illustrated in colour

This work is in very good condition. There is no retouching apparent when examined under ultra-violet light. The canvas is slightly slack overall and there is a light undulation 5cm below the upper left corner, likely due to the way the canvas has been stretched. There is a minute indentation on the white pigment in the upper left quadrant, 10cm in from the left hand edge and only visible upon very close inspection. There is a very faint 10cm vertical rub mark running parallel to the lower left edge and a further light 3cm rub mark to the lower right corner of the composition, 12cm above the artist's signature. There is a tiny white media accretion to the centre of the lower 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."

Habitación de Hotel is part of a series of paintings called Viajes, created by the group Equipo Crónica in 1979-80, and chronicling their travels. The group originally comprised Manuel Valdés (lot 357), Rafael Solbes and Juan Antonio Toledo, and are known as the forerunners of Pop Art in Spain.

The present work illustrates the everyday elements of Equipo Crónica's itinerant lifestyle, their maps, suitcases and jacket lying scattered in an anonymous hotel setting.