EDOUARD VUILLARD | Square Berlioz (La Place Vintimille)

Paul Rosenberg, Paris (acquired by circa 1938)
Captain Richard A. Peto, Bembridge
M. Knoedler & Co., Inc., New York (stock no. A3617; acquired from the above on 17th January 1947)
Gilbert Kahn, New York & Sam Salz, Inc., New York (acquired from the above in June 1949)
Private Collection, New York (by descent from the above)
Sale: Christie's, New York, 5th May 2004, lot 250 Private Collection (purchased at the above sale; sale: Christie's, London, 18th June 2007, lot 33)
Purchased at the above sale by the present owner

Antoine Salomon & Guy Cogeval, Vuillard: The Inexhaustible Glance, Critical Catalogue of Paintings and Pastels, 2003, Paris, vol. III no. X-107, illustrated p. 1228

The canvas is laid down on cradled panel. The panel is sound. Examination under UV light reveals a thick varnish preventing the light from fully penetrating, however there are scattered spots of retouching; most notably to the foilage at the centre of the lower edge, foilage to the tree at the upper centre of the composition, the green pigment to the right of the dark tree trunk at the far right and to the green pigment at the left of the lower edge. There are areas of shrinkage to the black pigment at the upper right and a fine network of stable craquelure at the upper centre. This work is in overall 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."

The view of Square Berlioz was a theme that Vuillard held close to his heart as it was situated right outside his apartment at 26, rue de Calais in Paris. He moved to the area around the Places des Batignolles in 1908 and immediately felt at home. He resided in his fifth floor apartment for the next eighteen years and enjoyed observing from his balcony the daily activities of the square (named after the French romantic composer Louis-Hector Berlioz).