André Masson

Buchholz Gallery (Curt Valentin), New York

Galerie Louise Leiris, Paris

Saidenberg Gallery, New York

Stanley Mateus, New York

Mr. & Mrs. Ira Haupt, New York (by at least 1961 and sold: Parke-Bernet Galleries, Inc., New York, January 13, 1965, lot 12)

Daniel C. Mattis, New York

Sale: Christie's, New York, November 3, 1981, lot 54

Private Collection, Europe (sold: Christie's, London, June 30, 1999, lot 513)

Acquired at the above sale by the present owner

New York, Buchholz Gallery (Curt Valentin), André Masson, Retrospective exhibition, 1942

New York, Saidenberg Gallery, André Masson Retrospective Exhibition, 1961, no. 16 (as dating from 1942)

New York, Blue Moon & Lerner-Heller Gallery, André Masson, 1972, no. 15

New York, Blue Moon & Lerner-Heller Gallery, André Masson: Second Surrealist Period, 1975, no. 16, illustrated in color in the catalogue

Salt Lake City, Art Center, The Open Door, 1981

St. Petersburg, Florida, Salvador Dalí Museum, André Masson: 1930s, 1999-2000, no. 47, illustrated in color in the catalogue (with incorrect dimensions)

Madrid,  Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofia,  André Masson (1896-1987), 2004, illustrated in color in the catalogue

André Breton, Le Surréalisme et la peinture, Paris, 1945 & 1965, illustrated p. 64

Jean-Paul Clébert, Mythologie d'André Masson, Geneva, 1971, no. 130, illustrated (incorrectly titled Hôtel des Aromates)

Doris Ann Miller Birmingham, André Masson. The Artist's Achievement in Exile 1941 – 1945 (dissertation), The University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, 1978, no 8. illustrated p. 29 (titled The House of Automatons)

Bernard Noël, André Masson, La chair du regard, Paris, 1993, illustrated in color p. 111

Camille Morando, Peinture, Dessin, Sculpture et Littérature Autour du Collège de Sociologie pendant l'entre-deux-Guerres (dissertation) Université Paris IV- La Sorbonne, Institut d'Histoire de l'Art et d'Archéologie, 2000, no 277, illustrated in color p. 1396

 

Excellent condition. Original canvas. The paint is fresh and untouched, apart from two tiny scratches in the lower right corner. Under ultra-violet light, there is no evidence of retouching. This picture is in perfect, original condition.
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.

Although he began this work while still in France in 1940, the artist completed it upon his arrival in the United States the following year.  Thus, this beautiful and complex picture has the distinction of being Masson's first American composition.