ROBERT MOTHERWELL | The Balkan Lute

Private Collection 
Collection of Bud Yorkin, California (acquired from the above in 1980)
Private Collection, New York
Acquired from the above by the present owner

Los Angeles, Ace Gallery, Robert Motherwell: Major Paintings and Collages, July - August 1975
Hanover, Galerie Brusberg, Andre Ammerich bei Brusberg, July - August 1977

Exh. Cat., Barcelona, Centro Cultural de la Caixa de Pensions, Robert Motherwell, February - April 1980, illustrated in color 
Francisco Calvo Serraller, 'Robert Motherwell: La guerra civil española fue un símbolo para mi generación', El Pais, 18 April 1980, p. 32
H.H. Arnason, Robert Motherwell, New York 1982, pp. 85-87, illustrated in color
H.H. Arnason, Robert Motherwell, New York 1997, p. 86, illustrated in color 
Jack Flam, Katy Rogers and Tim Clifford, Eds., Robert Motherwell Paintings and Collages: A Catalogue Raisonné, 1994-1991, Volume Three: Collages and Paintings on Paper and Paperboard, New Haven 2012, cat. no. C523, p. 248, illustrated in color

This work is in good condition overall. There is evidence of light wear and handling along the edges including a ¼-inch loss along the right edge and a loss and a pinpoint spot accretion along the bottom. There is a slight undulation to the collaged elements, inherent to the artist’s working method and intent, and the lower left edge of the black paper is slightly raised. Under Ultraviolet inspection, there is no evidence of restoration. Framed under glass.
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.

"The 'pure' red of which certain abstractionists speak does not exist. Any red is rooted in blood, glass, wine, hunters' caps and a thousand other concrete phenomena. Otherwise we would have no feeling toward red and its relations..."
Robert Motherwell