Karel Appel

Edy de Wilde, Amsterdam (acquired directly from the artist)
Thence by descent to the present owner

Osaka, The National Museum of Art; Seibu, Museum of Art; Tochigi, Prefectural Museum of FIne Arts; Hiroshima, City Museum of Contemporary Art, 1989, p. 95, no. 67, illustrated in colour

Colour: The colours in the catalogue illustration are fairly accurate, although the overall tonality is brighter in the original. Condition: This work is in very good condition. There is light wear to all four corners and on the lower half of the left extreme edge. There are some light dust fibres which adhere to the thickest areas of impasto paint, notably in the lower left quadrant. Upon very close inspection, there are four minute spots of hairline cracking to the centre left of the composition. No restoration is apparent when examined under ultra-violet light.
"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."

Edy de Wilde was an illustrious Dutchman whose innate vision and profound knowledge of art in phase with his time led to his appointment as head of the Van Abbemuseum in Eindhoven in 1946, at only twenty-six years old. Highly regarded and trusted, he conducted the museum's collection strategy with a strong contemporary focus and was integral to the Museum’s acquisition of international contemporary art, including Dutch expressionists such as Karel Appel and CoBrA art. In 1963, he was appointed director of the Stedelijk Museum in Amsterdam, where he headed a pioneering exhibition programme until his retirement in 1985. During his innovative directorship, Edy de Wilde cemented his place as an important taste-maker on the European contemporary art scene.