Robert Wilson

A gift from the artist to the previous owner
Thence by descent

Colour: The colours in the catalogue illustration are fairly accurate, although the overall tonality is warmer in the original. Condition: This work is in very good condition. There are two tiny media accretions; one to the left of the top edge and one towards the top right corner. There is some artist's smudging in places along the bottom 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."

A Collection of Works by Robert Wilson from the Schlumberger Family Collection

The renowned Texan director Robert Wilson is internationally acclaimed for his outstanding efforts in pushing the boundaries of theatre.  He integrates movement, music, drawings and other visual elements in his creations, transcending theatrical convention and breaking the boundaries between the various art disciplines. Originally trained as an architect in his native Waco, Texas and then in New York, Wilson was soon drawn to the experimental dance scene which was then flourishing in the city in the early 1960s and was regarded as a leader in Manhattan's burgeoning avant-garde. His first major accomplishment was through the art of large-scale opera and later through outstanding productions of both classic adaptations and original works, collaborating with the leading writers and performers of his time.

Despite his success in theatre and opera, Wilson describes himself more readily as a visual artist than as a stage director. He has won various awards such as the Golden Lion at the 1993 Venice Biennale, and has been the subject of various retrospectives such as at the Centre Georges Pompidou, Paris and at the Boston Museum of Fine Arts.

An avid admirer of Robert Wilson's work throughout his career, Sao Schlumberger's support was integral to the director's 1976 collaboration with the composer Phillip Glass, the experimental opera Einstein on the Beach. The following examples from the Schlumberger family collection demonstrate the array of disciplines that have inspired Robert Wilson over his extensive and prestigious career. What recurs across his various artistic practices is a slow dream-like quality of time and space; his works are noted for their austere style, very slow movement, and often extreme scale in space or time.