Mubin Orhon

Estate of the artist, Paris; thence by descent (collection of Benedicte Orhon)

This work is in good condition. The canvas has not been lined, and is slightly slack on its stretcher with some associated craquelure in the thick white pigments in the upper left. There is some small scattered spots of paint flaking, notably in the yellow pigments towards the bottom of the left edge. Ultra-violet light reveals no sign of retouching. Colour: The colours in the catalogue illustration are very accurate.
"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."

Mubin spent almost all his artistic career in Paris alongside the other masters of the École de Paris. The present work is from his notable Tachist period, which he practiced from the late 1950s to mid-1960s while building close ties with César, Takis and Giacometti. Tachisme was a movement that took hold in the 1940s and 1950s and was in favour of abandoning geometric abstraction for a more intuitive form of expression. Mubin would become a master in this style in the early 1960s. The beautiful hues of his favourite reds alongside greens and yellows in the present work put before our eyes a strong example of his harmonic compositions created with vivacity and movement. It is a work that represents the quintessence of Mubin’s 1960s period that was collected avidly by Lady Sainsbury who owned more than 60 of his works.