Norman Rockwell

Katherine Patton Griffith, San Marino, California
Charles Forkner (acquired as a gift from the above, his grandmother)
Ingrid Bond Fine Art, Tucson, Arizona
Purchased from the above by the present owner, 2003

Condition Report as per Simon Parkes, Inc. (3/25/2014): This work was originally painted on a piece of canvasboard, which is a commercially bought piece of canvas adhered to board. The gesso layer may be original to the canvasboard or may have been added by the artist. A few cracks have developed to the gesso layer, particularly around the edges. There are two small pinholes in the upper right, two in the upper left, one in the lower left, and two in the lower right. These are presumably part of the artist's process, perhaps a result of securing the work to his easel. There is a vertical line of dark marks running down the left side about one inch from the left edge, which can probably be removed mechanically without requiring any retouches. There are also some small dark blemishes on the upper right edge. The painted areas are undamaged. There are a handful of very small marks in the white background beneath the shadows of the figures, but these are probably original. It is unlikely that the picture has ever been cleaned. The work is in untouched and extremely good condition with no retouches. It should be carefully cleaned and may possibly need a couple of retouches, but it is essentially very healthy.
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.

The present work is a study for the image used to illustrate a calendar published by the Brown & Bigelow Company of Saint Paul, Minnesota.  Rockwell had a longstanding relationship with the firm, creating many illustrations for them over the years.  His Four Seasons series, for which the present work was executed, was by far the most popular.  The series ran for seventeen years, from 1948 to 1964 with quarterly scenes depicting a typical seasonal sports activity.  The present work was a study for Autumn, 1951.