Man Ray

(i): Executed on white wove paper, not laid down, fixed to on a larger sheet of buff wove paper at the corners. There is an embossed watermark running along the right edge. A 2.5 by 2mm loss is visible towards the lower right corner and there are some faint surface scratches. The upper right edge is uneven (inherent to the artist's process). The other edges are not visible due to the mount, however this work appears to be in overall good condition. (ii): Executed on white wove paper, not laid down, fixed to on a larger sheet of buff wove paper at the corners. The extreme edges are not visible due to the mount. There is some creasing in the lower left and upper right corners, otherwise this work appears to be in overall very good original condition. (iii): Executed on thin laid paper, not laid down, examined unframed. The right edge is uneven and torn and there is a 1cm tear at the centre of the left edge. The edges of the sheet are fragile and there is substantial foxing. This work remains in overall stable condition. (iv): Executed on thin laid paper, not laid down, examined unframed. The right edge is uneven and torn and there is a 1cm tear at the centre of the left edge. The edges of the sheet are fragile and creased and there is substantial foxing. This work remains in overall stable condition.
"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."

(i) Signed with the initials M.R. and dated 61 (lower right); titled Les Buvards, signed Man Ray and dated 61 (on the reverse)
Watercolour on paper
20.1 by 12.8cm., 7 7/8 by 5 in.
(ii) Signed with the initials M.R. and dated 61 (lower right); titled Les Buvards, signed Man Ray and dated 61 (on the reverse)
Watercolour on paper
20.2 by 12.3cm., 8 by 4 7/8 in.
(iii) Ink on paper
30.2 by 24.4cm., 11 7/8 by 9 5/8 in.
(iv) Ink on paper
30.3 by 24.4cm., 11 7/8 by 9 5/8 in.

In line with the Surrealists’ fascination with automatism in the creation of works of art, Man Ray continually experimented with different methods of automatic painting from this first airbrush works in 1918-19 to his brushless paintings of 1929 to his series of Natural Paintings, 1958-65 (see note to lot 22). In the present series of 4 works comprising ink and waterolour applied haphazardly to porous blotting paper and allowed to spread by means of the capillary effect. He titled them “Les Buvards”, French for blotting paper and also a play on the word which derives from the word “boire” (to drink), describing the very nature of the absorbent paper.