Arman

Sale: Christie's, New York, The House Sale, 11 July 2006, Lot 86
Acquired directly from the above by the present owner

Denyse Durand-Ruel, Arman, Catalogue Raisonné II, Paris 1994, pp. 84-85, no. 160, illustrated

Colour: The colours in the catalogue illustration are fairly accurate, although the overall tonality is slightly deeper and richer, with the tone of the canvas ground tending more towards creamy ivory, and the combs more to metallic charcoal black, metallic silver and gun metal grey in the original. Condition: This work is in good condition. There are a few tiny media accretions scattered throughout and a small media drip on the centre vertical axis in the lower third of the composition (visible in the catalogue illustration). There is a tiny pale rub mark to the top part of the left extreme edge and a further small rub mark to the centre of the left extreme edge. There is a canvas tear (10 cm approx) extending down from the centre of the top extreme edge. Upon close examination there are three very small indentations to the lower centre of the composition, 7 cm in from the left extreme edge and a further tiny canvas indentation approx 25 cm in from the right extreme edge just beneath the central horizontal axis. On close examination there is a tiny short fine surface scratch to the upper right part of the lower left quadrant, a tiny loss approx 30 cm in from the right extreme edge at the top of the lower right quadrant and a further tiny loss to the black comb in the centre of the composition. There is some smudging and inconsistency to the pigment on the right side of the lower edge. There is a small canvas indentation with some associated retouching visible under ultraviolet light approx 7 cm in from the top of the left extreme edge, and a further tiny canvas indentation above. Under ultraviolet light there are further retouchings to the right of the top right hand black comb, to the white pigment beneath, to a small indentation towards the top of the lower left quadrant and a few further tiny spots elsewhere.
"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."