Serge Poliakoff

Gimpel Fils, London
Sale: Christie's, London, Contemporary Art, 26 June 1997, Lot 112
Acquired directly from the above by the present owner

Dora Vallier, Serge Poliakoff, Paris 1959, p. 79, no. 44, illustrated

Colour: The colours in the catalogue illustration are fairly accurate, with the darker grey being slightly brighter and with a cream undertone in the original Condition: This work is in very good condition. The canvas is quite slack overall. There is a tiny feather crack (with slightly raised edges) 20 cm. above the centre of the bottom edge. There is a minute speck of paint loss 20 cm. diagonally above the lower left corner tip. Examination under ultra-violet light reveals a few small retouchings around the extreme edges including: a thin line to the top of the left extreme edge, to the centre of the top extreme edge, and a further thin line to the bottom of the left extreme 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."

The authenticity of this work has kindly been confirmed by Alexis Poliakoff and is registered in his archives under number 957020

"Abstract art comes mainly from the interior and goes deeper into it. Finding the contents of a battle scene with horses and warriors does not require philosophy. Abstract art as a whole goes further into cosmos. Whereas figurative painting lives within the limits of the frame and always remains inside it, abstract transcends the frame in order to create a cosmos. The painting always goes beyond the canvas."

The artist in conversation with Julien Alvard, 1952 in: Exhibition Catalogue, Paris, Galerie Melki, Poliakoff, 1975, p. 78