Fernand Léger

Estate of the artist
Former collection of Nadia Léger & Georges Bauquier
Estate of Georges Bauquier
Acquired from the above in 2005 by the present owner

Mons, Musée des beaux-arts, Art et sport : de Toulouse-Lautrec, Picasso, Magritte, Hockney aux nouveaux fauves, 1984, no. 18

Executed on white laid paper, not laid down, fixed to the mount at several points along the edges. This work is in overall good condition and the painted motif (as illustrated in the catalogue) is intact. Around the edges of the sheet, there are media marks and finger smudges, inherent to the artists process, faint flattened creases at the sides and upper centre and two 10cm horizontal repaired tears to the side edges (that do not impinge upon the central painted motif). There are artists pinholes around the edges of the sheet, repaired losses in the two left corners and minor repaired nicks to the edges (none of which are visible when framed).
"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."

At the end of his life, Fernand Léger acquired a property near the village of Biot, near the Côte d’Azur. After his death in 1955, his widow Nadia and close friend Georges Bauquier decided to create a museum on this site that would pay tribute to the artist’s legacy and raise awareness of his oeuvre. The building was designed by the architect Andreï Svetchineand its façade was crowned with a monumental mosaic celebrating sport that Léger had recently designed for an aborted project to decorate Hannover stadium. The three following lots are studies executed by Léger in the early 1950s for the Hannover project, and show the first apparition of the iconic motifs that would eventually adorn the museum that bears his name.