Jean-Paul Riopelle

Pierre Matisse Gallery, New York
Acquis auprès de celle-ci par le propriétaire actuel

Roslyn, Nassau County Museum of Art, Intimates and Confidants in Art: Husbands, Wives, Lovers and Friends, 1993
Paris, Didier Imbert Fine Art, Riopelle, Les années 60, 1994

This work is in very good condition. The canvas is not relined. There are some thin stabilized scattered craquelures. There are also small areas of very thin craquelures with slight paint uprising associated: one in the right panel at 10 cm from the lower edge, towards the signature. One in the central panel at 10 cm from the right edge at the centre. One in the left panel in the upper left quadrant. Under UV light there is no evidence of any retouching.
"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."

signed, oil on canvas. Executed in 1968.

Fig. 1 Jean-Paul Riopelle, 1965 © Yousuf Karsh

Nous sombrons dans la peinture de Riopelle : elle est la vague qui nous submerge, ne nous laissant voir rien d'autres que son corps vert, sa blanche écume, la flèche d'un cristal bleu qui nous transperce... Tout a disparu - sauf ce scintillement et cette obscurité qui nous envahissent et nous suffoquent, lapidés par les sensations, et nous abandonnent au terrifiant plaisir d'un orgasme sans fin. Suffoqués par l'exposition de la vie.

(Franco Russoli, Riopelle - Oeuvres 1966-1977, Maeght éditeur, p.26)