DOROTHEA TANNING | Untitled

(Probably) Galerie Nidrecourt, Paris
Private Collection, Belgium
Thence by descent to the present owner

The board is sound, and examination under UV light reveals no signs of retouching. There are some minor surface scratches, the largest of which is in the upper quadrant and measures approximately 12cm. There is a further and slightly deeper surface scratch in the lower left corner measuring 2cm. There is some shrinkage to the pigment in the upper right quadrant and in the centre left of the composition, and some minor white accretions at the lower 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."

In 1966 Dorothea Tanning was part of a group of artists who took part in a ground-breaking exhibition at Galerie Nidrecourt, Paris, titled Kamagraphies. The group comprised, amongst others, of her husband Max Ernst, and the Belgian surrealists Marcel Delmotte and René Magritte. The exhibition showcased a new form of artistic expression which the artists termed Kamagraphie – the idea being that, each artist would paint a unique work on board, called the Kama-Mère, and from that take a limited edition of prints executed through oil painting directly from the original ‘mother’ work. The present work, the original Kama-Mère, is testament to Tanning’s contribution to Surrealism and its artistic evolution.

We are grateful to The Dorothea Tanning Foundation for their assistance in cataloguing this work.