Oscar Rabin

The following condition report has been provided by Simon Parkes of Simon Parkes Art Conservation, Inc. 502 East 74th St. New York, NY 212-734-3920, simonparkes@msn.com , an independent restorer who is not an employee of Sotheby's. This very heavily painted work is in surprisingly healthy condition, particularly given its heavy paint layer. The canvas is unlined and seems to be stretched on its original stretcher. There are two fairly significant cracks that have developed across the top of the painting. One is situated approximately three inches from the top edge and the other approximately five inches from the top edge. There is also a further similarly stable, but less noticeable, crack in the center above the newspaper. Elsewhere no other cracking has developed. The cracking could be eliminated by lining the canvas however, we would not recommend that this process is used in this case. Overall the picture appears to be in very good condition and we recommend that it be hung as is.
"This lot is offered for sale subject to Sotheby's Conditions of Business, which are available on request and printed in Sotheby's sale catalogues. The independent reports contained in this document are provided for prospective bidders' information only and without warranty by Sotheby's or the Seller."