Frank Stella

Collection of Barbara Rose
James Corcoran Gallery, Los Angeles
Acquired by the present owner from the above in 1990

i. This work is in very good condition overall. The bottom edge of the sheet is deckled. There are 3 horizontal creases that are equally spaced throughout the sheet, presumably from the time of execution and original to the artist's intent. The lower right and left corners are slightly creased. Under close inspection, a graphite smudge mark is visible in the upper right corner. The sheet is hinged verso at the upper corners to the matte. Framed under Plexiglas. ii. This work is in very good condition overall. The sheet has yellowed slightly with age. The lower right corner has been cut irregularly by the artist at the time of execution and there are a few scattered and unobtrusive media accretions throughout the sheet, also from the time of execution. The sheet is creased lightly all over. The sheet is hinged verso at the upper corners to the matte. Framed under Plexiglas. iii. This work is in very good condition overall. The lower edge of the sheet is deckled. There are 3 horizontal creases that are equally spaced throughout the sheet, presumably from the time of execution and original to the artist's intent. There is a partial tear at the lower center edge. The lower right and left corners are creased slightly and the sheet is creased lightly all over, possibly a result of the artist's working method. There is a light abrasion just right of center, approximately ¼-inch long. The sheet is hinged verso at the upper corners to the matte. Framed under Plexiglas. iv. This work is in very good condition overall. The lower right edge has been torn irregularly from the artist. There are light graphite smudge marks and evidence of light handling along the edges, presumably from the time of execution. The medium has smudged at the upper left corner and along the right side, also from the time of execution. The sheet is hinged verso at the upper corners to the matte. Framed under Plexiglas. v. This work is in very good condition overall. The sheet is creased lightly throughout. The edges have yellowed slightly with age and the bottom edge is slightly curled upwards. The sheet is hinged verso at the upper corners to the matte. Framed under Plexiglas. vi. This work is in very good condition overall. The sheet is creased lightly throughout, most noticeably in the lower left corner and along the left side. There is very light evidence of foxing. The sheet is hinged verso at the upper corners to the matte. Framed under Plexiglas. vii. This work is in very good condition overall. The top edge of the sheet is deckled. The lower right and left corners are lightly creased and the sheet is creased lightly throughout, particularly along the upper edge. Under close inspection, a minor abrasion is visible in the lower left quadrant. The sheet is hinged verso at the upper corners to the matte. Framed under Plexiglas. viii. This work is in very good condition overall. The edges of the sheet have yellowed slightly with age. Light graphite smudges are visible throughout the sheet from the time of execution. Under close inspection, minor abrasions are visible along the top edge. The sheet is hinged verso at the upper corners to the matte. Framed under Plexiglas. ix. This work is in very good condition overall. The edges have yellowed slightly with age. There is a partial ½-inch tear at the bottom left edge and minor partial tears at the upper left and right edges. The lower left corner has creased slightly and there is light creasing visible along the left lateral edge of the sheet. Light, scattered graphite smudges are visible throughout from the time of execution. The sheet is hinged verso at the upper corners to the matte. Framed under Plexiglas. x. This work is in very good condition overall. The edges have yellowed slightly with age. There are partial tears along the bottom edge towards the right and along the left lateral edge. Light, scattered graphite smudges are visible from the time of execution. There is very light evidence of foxing. There are light crease along the left side of the sheet, possibly inherent to the artist's working method. The sheet is hinged verso at the upper corners to the matte. Framed under Plexiglas.
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.

This extraordinary and early collection of works on paper was created by Frank Stella between 1961 and 1962 in the various cafes he frequented in Pamplona, Spain. Offering a rare insight into the mind of one of the greatest artistic geniuses of the 20^th Century, these crudely scrawled images resemble some of the significant works that Stella would create much later in his career, suggesting that even as a younger man he had already foreseen and conceived some of the most distinctive aesthetics that have defined his oeuvre. Not only are these works exhibitive of the inimitable single-mindedness of the ‘Father of Minimalism,’ but their hurried execution and use of everyday materials demonstrate the personal nature of the work – these were the product of fleeting ideas and important moments of inspiration experienced by the artist, things that were too important to go unrecorded. Steeped in art historical import and intellectual weight, these delicate works act as the personal record of rare moments of genius whose cultural impact have rarely been surpassed in the past 100 years.