Ilya Schor

The artist
Thence by descent

Gouache on paper board. The surface is in generally good condition aside from minor rubbing at the edges. There is stable craqulure visible in the majority of the gouache, some less perceptible than in other areas. There are minor pinpoint dots of loss associated to this craquelure. Surface dirt. In overall good condition and ready to hang in its current state. The work is backed by a piece of cardboard on which the artist has drawn a design for a sculpture in pencil. There are light and Matt stains on this cardboard.
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.

The pink building in the central background of the present work likely represents the synagogue in Schor's hometown of Złoczów. When Schor was born, the town was part of Austrian Galicia; after the Peace of Riga in 1921, Złoczów was recognized as a part of Poland. Złoczów was occupied by the Nazis on July 2, 1941, who began a systemic pogrom, followed by the establishment of a ghetto on December 1, 1942. By July 1944, Złoczów was occupied by the Red Army, and it was absorbed into the USSR in the aftermath of the war. Since 1991, the town has been part of Ukraine.

There is a pencil drawing on the backing board which is likely a design for an unidentified sculpture from the mid-1950s.