Marcel Duchamp

Julien Levy, New York
Sale: Tajan, Paris, Hommage à Julien Levy, October 5, 2004, lot 24
Acquired at the above sale by Dr. Arthur Brandt

Ithaca, Herbert F. Johnson Museum of Art, A Private Eye: Dada, Surrealism and More from the Brandt Collection, 2006, illustrated in the catalogue p. 40

Robert Lebel, Sur Marcel Duchamp, Paris, 1959, illustration of another version pl. 62
Ecke Bonk, Marcel Duchamp, The Box in a valise, De ou par Marcel Duchamp ou Rrose Selavy, 1989
Arturo Schwarz, The Complete Works of Marcel Duchamp, London, 1997, vol. II, no. 456, illustration p. 744
Francis M. Naumann, Marcel Duchamp: The Art of Making Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction, New York, 1999, no. 5.19, illustration in colour of another example from the edition p. 135
Francis M. Naumann, The Recurrent, Haunting Ghost: Essays on the art, life and legacy of Marcel Duchamp, New York, 2012, no. 277, illustration in colour of another example from the edition p. 387

Reproduction is hinged to the mount in two places along the upper edge and floating in the mount. There is a spot of foxing towards the lower right corner and an handling mark at the lower right corner. This work is very good 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."

This is a pochoir hand-coloured reproduction of Duchamp's celebrated 1912 oil Mariée (Bride) (Philadelphia Museum of Art) that was printed for inclusion in Duchamp's De ou par Marcel Duchamp ou Rrose Selavy (Boîte-en-valise) (lot 103). A number of untrimmed examples of the reproduction were certified with a five-centime French revenue stamp, signed and dated by the artist. The present example was among 205 copies of the work sent to the New York art dealer Julien Levy, ostensibly with the idea of selling them through his gallery for $1 each. Levy sold only a few examples and, because of a flood at his country home, most were destroyed and are today consequently very rare.