Diego Rivera (1886-1957)

George Gastine, Los Angeles (1955)
Antonio Marco Montagutelli, Caracas
Luis Eduardo Chataing, Caracas
Thence by descent to present owner, Tampa, FL

Instituto Nacional de Bellas Artes, Diego Rivera, Catálogo General de Obra de Caballete, Mexico City, 1989, no. 1479, p. 194

This work was examined under glass: there are pinholes in each corner. The edges of the paper and deckled and the surface of the paper is wrinkled but these qualities are inherent to the artist choice of medium. There is a small tear in the center of the lower edge, possibly inherent to the handmade paper. Overall, this work is in beautiful condition.
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.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

Oskar Homolka (1898-1978) was an actor in Viena and Munich before fleeing to the United States after the Nazi rise to power. He starred in Hitchcok's 1936 Sabotage and was a well known actor who shared the silver screen with Ingrid Bergman, Marylin Monroe, Katherine Hepburn and Ronald Reagan among other Hollywood luminaries. In 1939, Rivera portrayed him and his third wife , photographer and socialite Florence Meyer ( 1911-1962) a daughter of Washington Post owner Eugene Meyer. Althought these are executed in a rather modest format, both watercolors are powerful examples of the artist's ability to invest his subjects with gravity and heroic force.