Günther Förg

Galerie Vera Munro, Hamburg
Acquired from the above by the present owner

Colour: The colours in the catalogue are fairly accurate although the overall tonality is lighter and the upper half tends towards pale pink in the original. Condition: This work is in good condition. Close inspection reveals evidence of wear to the edges, with two associated nicks; one to the left edge, 45 cm from the upper left corner tip, and one to the upper edge, 17 cm from the upper left corner tip which has been lightly inpainted under the artist's supervision. Further close inspection reveals a superficial scratch to the lower half of the composition, towards the centre of the work. There are some rub marks to the left of the composition which are likely to be in keeping with the artist's working process. Inspection under ultraviolet light reveals three further minute spots of inpainting to the upper extreme edge, towards the upper left corner tip, and two very thin horizontal lines of inpainting towards the centre of the upper edge, all of which have been done under the artist's supervision.
"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 like very much the qualities of lead - the surface, the heaviness. Some of the paintings were completely painted, and you only experience the lead at the edges; this gives the painting a very heavy feeling - it gives the colour a different density and weight. In other works the materials would be explicitly visible as grounds. I like to react on things, with the normal canvas you often have to kill the ground, give it something to react against. With the metals you already have something - its scratches, scrapes...."

GÜNTHER FÖRG
in conversation with David Ryan in Talking Painting, 1997, online