PAVEL TCHELITCHEW | Standing Spahi

Wolf's Auction Gallery, Important Paintings and Sculpture, 19 September 1991, lot 227
Sotheby's New York, The Collection of Geoffrey Beene, 23 September 2005, lot 270
Acquired at the above sale by the present owner

The support is slightly warped along the top edge. The bottom edge is uneven. The top right corner has frayed and there is minor associated paint loss. There is creasing to the top layer of the support throughout the composition, notably in the top right corner. There are nicks and scuff marks in places which have caused minor paint loss, notably to the left of the sitter's wrist and in the lower left. Light surface scratches are scattered throughout the composition, notably through the signature in the bottom right, to the foot of the spahi's cloak on the right and to his hand. There is scattered craquelure some of which is flacking and has caused paint loss, notably to the spahi's hat and his right shoulder. There is a layer of surface dirt. Held behind glass in a painted wooden frame. Unexamined out of frame.
"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 present lot comes from the Spahi series executed in the winter of 1931 and inspired by a visit from Tchelitchew's friend George Girard, who was at the time serving in a Spahi regiment (J.Soby, Tchelitchew: Paintings and Drawings, New York, 1942, p.22).