Matta (1911-2002)

Albert Lewin, New York (1965)
Private collection, Washington, D.C. 

This painting is in beautiful condition. It is un-reinforced and well-stretched. The painting is probably not cleaned, yet is not noticeably dirty. There is no varnish to the paint layer. There are no discernable damages and under ultraviolet light examination no retouches are visible. It is painted on a thin canvas and some care must be taken in handling the picture, but the condition is beautiful. (This condition report has been provided courtesy of Simon Parkes Art Conservation, Inc.)
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.

This painting's first owner, Albert Lewin, was a fascinating character, an American director, producer and screenwriter, working at MGM with Irwin Thalberg in the early 1930's and in the late 1930's at Paramount. In the 1940's he began to direct, some of his most famous movies being the Moon and Sixpence (1942) and The Picture of Dorian Grey (1945).
Lewin was no stranger to the Surrealist circle. In 1945 he and Harriet Janis (wife of dealer Sidney Janis) organized an international competition for a painting depicting the temptation of St. Anthony to be used in his movie The Private Affairs of Bel Ami. A few of the artists who participated were Leonora Carrington, Stanley Spencer, Eugene Berman, Paul Delvaux, Dorothea Tanning and Max Ernst.