Edgar Degas

Marlborough Fine Art, Ltd., London
Emil Bührle, Zurich (acquired from the above on January 2, 1952)

John Rewald & Leonard von Matt, L'Oeuvre sculpté de Degas, no. IL, illustrations of another cast pls. 59-61
John Rewald, Degas's Complete Sculpture, Catalogue Raisonné, San Francisco, 1990, no. XLIX, illustrations of another cast pp. 136-7
Anne Pingeot, Degas Sculptures, Paris, 1991, no. 34, illustration of another cast
Sara Campbell, "A Catalogue of Degas' Bronzes", Apollo, August, 1995, no. 69, illustratation of another cast p. 45
Joseph Czestochowski & Anne Pingeot, Degas Sculptures: A Catalogue Raisonné of the Bronzes, Memphis, 2002-03, illustration of another cast in color pp. 256-7

Work is in very good condition. Rich golden brown patina. Original casting joints visible. Some surface dirt in crevices.
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.

The original wax model was executed between 1896-1911 and cast in an edition of twenty-two bronze examples beginning in 1919, lettered from A to T, plus additional casts, numbered HER, HER.D and AP, reserved for the Degas heirs and the Hébrard Foundry. The number 69 refers to the subject number, which was assigned to the work when it was included in the first exhibition of Degas sculptures at the Hébrard Foundry in 1921. 

 

Fig. 1 Classical sculpture of Aphrodite