John Wells

The Estate of the Artist
Jonathan Clark & Co., London, where acquired by the present owner

London, Jonathan Clark & Co., John Wells: Reaching Beyond the World’s Edge, October – November 2003, cat. no.16, illustrated.

Unexamined out of frame. Stable board, with very minor old frame abrasions to one or two places about the edges. There is some craquelure apparent to the thicker areas of white impasto in the top right hand quadrant and the central white block just to the right of the chalice. Further areas are also apparent to the light blue pigment at the base of the chalice, to the thicker area of darker blue that forms the centre body of the chalice, and to the yellow pigment immediately to the right of the chalice. These are noticeable upon closer inspection. There are one or two other very tiny areas of craquelure elsewhere to the surface. Ultraviolet light reveals minor areas of fluorescence to small areas throughout the extreme edges in line with the aforementioned frame abrasion. These are most apparent in the top and bottom left corners and in flecks along the centre of the right hand edge. There are a few other very minor spots of fluorescence in areas throughout the work, but these appear to be in keeping with the artist's original technique. Housed behind glass in a thick black-painted and gilt frame. Unexamined out of frame. Please telephone the department on +44 (0) 207 293 6424 if you have any questions regarding the present work.
"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."