Leon Kossoff

Corporate Collection, UK

The work is on wove paper which has not been laid down. The upper and lower edges are deckled. There are a few tears to the sheet: the largest is a diagonal tear, approximately 9cm. long in the upper left corner but there are other small tears along the upper and right edges. There are a few artist's pinholes along the upper and left edges. The surface of the sheet is in good overall condition. Held under glass in a painted and silver gilded rectilinear frame. Please telephone the department on 020 7293 5381 if you have any questions regarding the present work.
"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."

Kossoff painted and drew Nicholas Hawksmoor's Christ Church, Spitalfields on a number of occasions, mostly between 1987 and 1994, and throughout this group of works the huge bulk of the building which rises so dramatically above the surrounding area is very much at the fore. The present drawing is very close in composition to Christ Church, Stormy Day, Summer of 1994 (Private Collection) and the sense of the vertiginous rise of the building amidst the heavily worked background is extremely powerful.