Gilbert & George

a compositon of 5 unique photographs, each framed to the artists' specifications, with their '"Art For All" 12 Fournier Street, London, E. I., 01-247 0161' studio label, titled and numbered '5' in red ink, on the reverse, 1973 (5)

Nathalie Karg, Ltd., New York, 1999

New York, Guggenheim Museum, Speaking with Hands: Photographs from The Buhl Collection, June - September 2004, and 4 other international venues through 2007 (see Appendix 1)

Bordeaux, CAPC, Musee d'Art Contemporain, Gilbert & George, The Complete Pictures 1971-1985, May - September 1986, and traveling thereafter to:

Basel, Kunsthalle, September - November 1986

Brussels, Palais des Beaux Arts, November 1986 - January 1987

Madrid, Palacio Velasquez, February - March 1987

Munich, Stadische Galerie im Lenbachhaus, April - June 1987

London, Hayward Gallery, July - September 1987

Jennifer Blessing, Speaking with Hands: Photographs from The Buhl Collection (Guggenheim Foundation, 2004), pp. 140 and 219 (this composition)

Carter Ratcliff, ed., Gilbert & George, The Complete Pictures 1971-1985 (CAPC Musee d'Art Contemporain de Bordeaux, 1986, in conjunction with the exhibition), p. 47 (this composition)

This sequence of photographs is in essentially excellent condition. Each print is sealed with black leatherette tape between a backboard and sheet of glass. The seal has not been broken and these prints have not been examined out of their original framed presentation. There are occasional abrasions to the black leatherette tape. The artists's letterpress studio label reads as follows: 'Gilbert George / The Sculptors / Spring 1973 / 5 Part Photo-Piece / Entitled / Bottle Bar / "Art For All" 12 Fournier Street, London, E. I. / 01-247 0161.'The reverse of each backboard is sequentially numbered in an unidentified hand in pencil. Also on the reverse are small paper labels with the following notations in an unidentified hand in ink: 'A 106 / 1-5' (each numbered sequentially).
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.