He Sen

Marella Gallery, Milan
Acquired directly from the above by the present owner

Lorenzo Sassoli de Bianchi, China - Contemporary Painting, Bologna 2005, p. 70, illustrated in colour

Colour: The colours in the catalogue illustration are fairly accurate, although the overall tonality is lighter and softer in the original, with the blue of the background tending more to baby blue. Condition: This work is in good condition. The canvas is slightly slack. A fine line of blank canvas is showing to the bottom extreme edge (not visible in the catalogue illustration) with some wear to the bottom right corner. This is a result of the re-stretching of the canvas. There is some light wear along the left extreme edge, as well as to the bottom left and top right extreme corner tips. A number of fine stable tension cracks can be noticed upon close inspection to the extreme overturn edges. There is a faint intermittent unobtrusive stretcher mark running along the top, left and right extreme edges, approximately 7 cm. in from the overturn edges, with some associated traces of dirt. A tiny spot of paint loss can be seen upon close inspection in the upper right quadrant, to the left of the extremity of the smoke cloud. There are a number of irregularities to the canvas surface: a shallow indentation in the upper right quadrant 10 cm. in from the right edge; a raised irregularity to the canvas in the lower right quadrant (along the right edge in line with the figure's left hand); a faint crease beneath this running diagonally down to the left towards the ear of the toy; two small dents along the figure's left arm (below the elbow); and a raised irregularity (approximately 10 cm. long) running diagonally down form the right elbow. In line with the figure's knees there is a fine horizontal line of intermittent retouchings (approximately 45 cm. long); as well as a few scattered spots elsewhere: one above the left section of the line, two small spots directly below the line, a fine line in the bottom left corner along the bottom and left edges, four spots approximately 20 cm. left of the figure's right arm, two spots right of the figure's waist, another to the figure's stomach below the belly button, and two spots to the bottom right leg along the bottom edge.
"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."