Willem De Kooning

Allan Stone Gallery, New York
American Broadcasting Companies, Inc., New York
Acquired by the present owner from the above in 1988

New York, Allan Stone Gallery, Willem de Kooning: Liquifying Cubism, October 1994 - January 1995, pl. 51, illustrated in color
Wellesley, Davis Museum and Cultural Center, Wellesley College; New York, Whitney Museum of American Art, Willem de Kooning's Door Cycle, October 1995 - May 1996, no. 8

This painting is in very good condition. The pigment is sound and stable. The work is comprised of two sheets of newsprint that overlap slightly at the horizontal center with vertical creases up the center of the work that are the original folds of the newspaper. Prior to being mounted to masonite, the work appears to have been laid down to a sheet of lighter toned paper that is evident at sites of old losses to the newspaper edges that predate the mounting. These are located primarily at the center of the top edge, lower left corner, and scattered along the upper right edge. There are some minor tears and lifting paper attendant to the areas along the upper right edge, located 13 ½ - 14 ½ in. down from the top right corner. Under ultraviolet light, there are no apparent restorations. The work is framed in a metal strip frame with a linen liner.
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.