Serge Poliakoff

Knoedler & Co., New York
Ragnar Moltzau, Oslo
Galerie Orangerie-Reinz, Cologne
Acquired directly from the above by the present owner

 

Høvikodden, Sonja Henie-Onstad Kunstenter, Poliakoff, 1976, no. 35 

Colours: The colours in the catalogue illustration are fairly acurate, although the overall tonality is slightly deeper and richer in the original. Condition: This work is in good condition. There are fine matrices of craquelure scattered throughout the composition. There is light blooming and fine cracks to thicker strokes of paint in each section of black paint and in the red paint to the upper centre. There is also some dry craquelure to the paint surface in the red paint in the lower left corner, towards the top of the red pigment on the lower right side, and to the top section of blue paint on the left edge. There are three minor spots of paint loss to the lower right extreme corner. An oval shaped small vertical media accretion is visible to the left side of the blue paint in the top right quadrant. Ultraviolet light reveals a spot of retouching to the upper centre of the blue paint in the lower right quadrant and a small spot of retouching to lower right extreme corner tip. There is a patch of individual retouchings to the centre of the left edge of the red pigment running up the right edge of the composition. There are scattered retouchings to the red pigment in the lower right quadrant. There are further small scattered spots of retouching to the red pigment in the upper centre, to the top left corner, and to the black pigment in the centre of the upper section of the composition. There is a vertical line of inconsistent media (39 cm approx) to the lower part of the left extreme edge which fluoresces under ultraviolet light.
"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 authenticity of this work has kindly been confirmed by Alexis Poliakoff