FRANÇOISE GILOT | Portrait of Claire as Harlequin

Private collection, United States (acquired directly from the artist)

The canvas is not lined. It has not been possible to see the work entirely unframed. Examination under UV light reveals no evidence of retouching. There is a paint loss to the lower part of the right edge and another smaller paint loss to the upper part of the right edge. There are a few fine lines of craquelure notably visible in the beige pigment. This work is in overall very good condition.
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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."

Painted in 1956, this portrait of Claire Roy, wife of the poet and art essayist, Claude Roy, is an example of Françoise Gilot's more classical and figurative style. Claire and Claude Roy remained among the few loyal supporter of Gilot after she left Picasso in 1953. The label from Galerie Louise Leiris (inventory No. 06624) on the stretcher bars suggests that this portrait was created early in 1956, prior to Gilot's late spring journey to Tunisia.

The authenticity of this work has been confirmed by Françoise Gilot and it is registered in the artist’s archives.