MARIE LAURENCIN | Trois danseuses aux marguerites

Galerie Benezit, Paris (acquired in the 1950s)
Private Collection, Paris (acquired from the above)
Private Collection, Paris (by descent from the above)
Sale: Christie's, New York, May 15, 1997, lot 407
Hilde Gerst Gallery, New York
Acquired from the above on October 24, 2005

Daniel Marchesseau, Marie Laurencin, Catalogue raisonné de l'oeuvre peint, vol. II, Japan, 1999, no. 1626, illustrated p. 250

The work is in very good condition. The canvas is unlined. There are vertical and horizontal stretcher bar marks. There is craquelure scattered throughout. There are a couple scattered pindot losses to the background to the left of the yellow fabric. There are two scratches that extend upward from the bottom edge with some associated paint loss. There is a fleck of paint loss to the right most figure's chin and there is also some lifting to the craquelure in the figures' faces. There is a small paint loss above the central figure's head. Under UV light, there are scattered strokes of inpainting to the extreme edges of the canvas. There are also some strokes of inpainting to the green background in the upper right and lower right quadrants. There is an inch long line of inpainting just above the rightmost flower. There is a pindot stroke of inpainting to the arm of the left most figure. There is an uneven varnish which fluoresces.
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.