Mark Rothko

Betty Parsons Gallery, New York
The Cohen Family, Brooklyn, New York
The Pace Gallery, New York
Acquired by the present owner from the above in 2005

New York, Betty Parsons Gallery, Mark Rothko: Recent Paintings, March 1948

David Anfam, Mark Rothko: The Works on Canvas, Catalogue Raisonné, New Haven and London, 1998, cat. no. 367, p. 284, illustrated in color

This work is in good condition. The canvas is relined with the original canvas extending ¾ to 1" on the turning edge of the 3" stretcher. In the upper center, there are scattered small accretions, most likely some of the lining adhesive penetrating the canvas, in an area located 3 ½ -12" from the top edge and 11 ½-20" from the left edge. Miniscule fibrous matter, possibly from paper on which the canvas rested during the relining process, is adhered to some of the adhesive. Under ultraviolet light, there are instances of retouching, primarily as follows: --in the bottom quarter of the painting: a spot 6 ½" from the left and 1-1 ¾"" from the bottom= a 2 ¼" vertical linear retouch 10-10 ¼" from the left and 1-3" up from the bottom, with two smaller retouches nearby, above and to the left and right of this area=scattered tiny dots and dashes of retouch in the lower left corner= scattered linear retouches along the bottom edge, with scattered with thin hairline retouches in an area 2 to 3" inches up from the bottom=a horizontal group of small linear and circular retouches located 4-6" up from the bottom and extending 10 inches in from the right edge. --near the center of the left edge, there is an ½" oval retouch 2 1/4 -2 ½" in from the left and 25 1/3-25 ¾" from the bottom, with a ¾" diagonal linear retouch, 3" below and to the right. There is also scattered intermittent retouching along the upper half of the extreme left edge, and above the center of the extreme right edge. ---retouching associated with scattered linear drips, located 10 1/2 " from the left and extending intermittently 30" up from the bottom edge, with another 1 1/4 " vertical linear retouch located 9-9 ¼" from left and 16 /4 – 17 1/2 " up from bottom. ---a scattered handful of linear vertical retouches, located &" and 14" below and to the right and below the black form in the upper right quadrant. ---scattered small retouches of fine hairline cracking above the large black form in the upper left quadrant. The painting is framed in a white painted wood frame.
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.