Francis Picabia
Le Mexicain
Authenticity guarantee
What is guaranteed?
Property from a Distinguished Private European Collection
Francis Picabia
1879 - 1953
Le Mexicain
signed Francis Picabia (lower left)
oil on panel
109.9 by 100.3cm., 43¼ by 39½in.
Framed: 133.7 by 124.5cm., 52⅝ by 49in.
Painted circa 1937.
The panel is sound. Inspection under UV light reveals a milky varnish through which the UV light cannot fully penetrate but which does reveal some retouchings in places including several to the lower left hand corner, two to the figure's skirt and some lines of retouching to the jaw and feet. There are lines of stable paint shrinkage and craquelure to the composition and a few scratches and dents to the panel. There is some frame abrasion along all four edges with some associated paint losses in places. 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."
Suzanne Romain, Paris & Nice (the artist's lover; a gift from the artist before 1953 and until 1990)
Didier Imbert Fine Art, Paris (acquired by 1991)
Sale: Christie’s, South Kensington, 30th June 2000, lot 128
Sale: Sotheby’s, London, 24th June 2003, lot 202
Purchased at the above sale by the present owner
Maria Lluïsa Borràs, Picabia, Barcelona, 1985, no. 877, illustrated in colour p. 413 (titled Le petit Mexicain & with incorrect medium)
Olga Mohler Picabia, Album Picabia, Turin, 1975, illustrated in photographs of the artist's studio pp. 105 & 106
William A. Camfield, Beverly Calté, Candace Clements, Arnaud Pierre & Pierre Calté, Francis Picabia Catalogue Raisonné, vol. III, New Haven & London, 2019, no. 1411, illustrated in color p. 356
Paris, Galerie Colette Allendy, Francis Picabia: 5 Tableaux et 60 Dessins; Transparencies - Surimpressions, 1947
Paris, Galeries nationales du Grand Palais, Francis Picabia, 1976, no. 214, illustrated in the catalogue
Düsseldorf, Städtische Kunsthalle & Stockholm, Moderna Museet, Francis Picabia, 1983-84, no. 118 (Düsseldorf), illustrated in the catalogue, no. 106 (Stockholm)
Madrid, Salas Pablo Ruiz Picasso del Ministerio de Cultura & Barcelona, Fundació Caixa de Pensions, Francis Picabia, Exposición antològica, 1985, no. 125, illustrated in colour in the catalogue
Paris, Musée National d'Art Moderne, Centre Georges Pompidou, Francis Picabia: Collection Suzanne Romain, 1990
Paris, Didier Imbert Fine Art, Picabia, 1990, no. 59, illustrated in colour in the catalogue
Nice, Musée d'Art Moderne et d'Art Contemporain, Picabia et La Côte d'Azur, 1991, no. 65, illustrated in colour in the catalogue
Lisbon, Centro Cultural de Belém, Francis Picabia antologia/ anthology, 1997, no. 83, illustrated in colour in the catalogue