JOHN BELLANY, R.A. | Masks

Original canvas. The canvas has recently been restretched. The surface is dirty and a may benefit well from a light clean. There are a few scattered specks of surface matter, lines and specks of surface staining in the right third of the picture, and evidence of damp on the reverse of the canvas, which may be removable. There is a tiny protrusion to the canvas along the left of the upper edge and a few isolated spots of light craquelure, including to the blue and green pigments upper centre, to the red pigment on the right, and 1 or 2 additional scattered lines in the lower half of the work. There is a very tiny fleck of paint loss and lifting paint to the blue pigment lower left, and a few very tiny abrasions with flecks of paint loss, 1 near the lower left corner, 2 near the right of the lower edge, a few to the red pigment on the right, and 2 to the blue pigment upper centre. Ultraviolet light reveals a few spots of fluorescence, which are not apparently retouching, but appear to correspond to the aforementioned specks of staining or are the artist's hand. Held in a simple black painted wood frame. Please telephone the department on 020 7293 5718 if you have any questions regarding the present work.
"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."