Joan Miró

Michel Tériade, Paris (acquired in 1966)
Private Collection, Florida (acquired from the above and sold: Sotheby's, New York, November 11, 1999, lot 369)
Howard Russeck Fine Art, Palm Beach (acquired at the above sale)
Private Collection, New York (acquired from the above in 1999 and sold: Sotheby's, New York, November 7, 2013, lot 332)
Acquired at the above sale

Alfred Jarry, Ubu Roi, Paris, 1966, illustrated n.p.
Miró, L'Oeuvre graphique (exhibition catalogue), Musée de l'art moderne, Paris & Fondation Gulbenkian, Lisbon, 1974, no. 473
Joan Texidor, Joan Miró: Lithographs 1964-1969, vol. III, Paris, 1977, nos. 463-65, illustrations of the printed black and white and color proofs p. 89
Patrick Cramer, Joan Miró: The Illustrated Books Catalogue Raisonné, Geneva, 1989, no. 107, illustration of a printed color proof p. 277
Ubu cent ans de règne (exhibition catalogue), Musée Galerie de la Seita, Paris, 1989, illustration of a printed color proof p. 42
Jacques Dupin, Miró, New York, 1993, the series discussed pp. 426-27

The work is in excellent condition. The cream wove paper has been affixed to a mount at multiple places around the perimeter of its verso. All four edges of the sheet are deckled. Eight pinholes are visible to the extreme outer edges of the sheet. The sheet is a little time-darkened but the colors remain fresh and vivid.
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.

Executed in 1954, this work is one of a set of thirteen hand-colored presentation proofs from the collection of publisher Michel Tériade which Miró executed to illustrate Alfred Jarry's play Ubu Roi. The set was published by Tériade in 1966. The first in a trilogy of satirical works centered around the infamous character Ubu, the play Ubu Roi was considered one of the first theatrical Symbolist farces, mocking both art and civilization. Miró adhered closely to the text for artistic inspiration, and his illustrations are closer to stage sets than drawings: "Here, contrary to his usual practice, the artist illustrated the text as if he were staging the play, following it to the very letter" (Patrick Cramer, op. cit., p. 11).