Edgar Degas

Sale: Galerie Georges Petit, Paris, 2ème Vente Atelier Edgar Degas, December 11-13, 1918, lot 287
Ambroise Vollard, Paris
Sale: Hôtel Drouot, Paris, November 10, 1927, lot 28
Private Collection, France (sold: Sotheby Parke Bernet, London, June 28, 1978, lot 133)
Acquired at the above sale by the present owner

Paris, Galerie Charpentier, Danse et Divertissements, 1948-49

Charcoal on *papier calque mounted to thin cardboard 40 ¼ X 25 inches (plus strips 1½ inch added to right and left sides There is a triangular paper fill at the bottom left. The work is noticeably buckled throughout, there is bubbling of the sheet across the upper section above the figures particularly to the right of center, the center and the upper left. In addition, some areas of bubbling run down the left side, are found at the lower right , and to the left of the crack at the center of the work. The crack is approx. 6 inches long but the paper is very secure - there is no paper lifting along the tear. A tiny paper loss is seen at the middle of the right edge of the image, Additional tiny paper losses are found at the left, bottom and right edges (these are from previous nailing into the frame). At the bottom, just to the right of center is a different (grayish) pigment in a small area, it is, possibly, an artist's correction. It does not appear to cover any damage. *Papier Calque is a very thin paper similar to a heavy tracing paper. The following condition report has been provided by Alan Firkser of Paper Conservation Studio, Inc., an independent restorer who is not an employee of Sotheby's.
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.

Fig. 1  Edgar Degas, Danseuses, décor de paysage, 1895-98, pastel on paper, Private Collection