John Latham

Acquired directly from the Artist by Charles H. Carpenter Jr, and thence by descent to the present owner

There are traces of loss and lifting to the applied plaster and paint impasto to one side of the book element in the centre of the composition, with further minor areas of cracking to the black paint, and to the joins at the corners apparent upon closer inspection. There is a further tiny fleck of loss to the plaster at the point at which the book meets the canvas support. Elsewhere there is minor surface dirt and studio detritus to the canvas support, but this excepting the work appears in good overall condition. Unframed. Please telephone the department on +44 (0) 207 293 6424 if you have any questions regarding the present work.
"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."

The present work was completed during the three months Latham spend in New York in the early 1960s. During this time he stayed at the historic Chelsea Hotel, infamous as a hotspot of the artistic world, hosting (amongst many others) the likes of Bob Dylan, Stanley Kubrick, Edie Sedgwick, Janis Joplin, Allen Ginsberg, and Arthur C. Clarke, who wrote 2001: A Space Odyssey while a resident. Latham became acquainted with other important artists of the day while staying at the hotel, such as Robert Rauschenberg, Willem de Kooning, Andy Warhol and the renowned American art critic Clement Greenberg, who of course was the become an incredibly significant figure in Latham’s work in the following decade. Latham was highly stimulated by the diversity and energy of New York, and the artistic bubble of the Chelsea Hotel. He held an informal exhibition and produced a considerable quantity of works whilst staying there, many of which have subsequently gone missing.