MEL RAMOS | Gorilla

David Stuart Galleries, Los Angeles
French and Company, New York
Private Collection, Kansas City (acquired from the above in 1969) 
Maurice Galerie, Boston
Acquired from the above by the present owner in December 2007 

Elizabeth Claridge, The Girls of Mel Ramos, New York 1975, p. 123, illustrated in color
Donald Kuspit, Mel Ramos, Pop Art Fantasies, New York 2004, p. 140, illustrated in color
Thomas Levy, Ed., Mel Ramos: A Catalogue Raisonné of the Paintings 1953-2015, Bielefeld 2016, cat. no. 67-4, p. 200, illustrated in color
Prof. Robin Skelton, "Mel Ramos", Art International, Volume XIII/3, 20 March 1969, illustrated in color on the cover

This work is in good condition overall. There is evidence of handling, wear and tension cracking along all of the edges with associated losses scattered throughout the largest being no larger than 1/4 inch in size. There is a fine network of fine hairline craquelure stretched across the canvas, most noticeably towards the lower half of the composition including radial, tension and drying cracks, which appear to be stable. Upon further inspection there are losses with some associated lifting to the tips of the gorillas left foot. There is minor dust accumulation to the surface. Under Ultraviolet light inspection, there is no evidence of restoration. Framed.
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.

"My body of work has mostly dealt with an examination of antecedents in the history of art, in other words 'art about art.'  I draw inspiration from popular media, advertising, comic books, art, billboards etc., and particularly the tradition of using beautiful women as subjects for my work in conjunction with commercial products. This incongruous relationship was a tenet of Surrealism which had a big influence on me when I was a teenager." Mel Ramos