Marie-Hélène Viera Da Silva

Galerie Pierre, Paris
Acquis auprès du précédent

Guy Weelen & Jean-François Jaeger, Viera da Silva, Catalogue raisonné, Genève, 1994, no. 1398, reproduit p. 277

Executed on white hand-made paper, not laid down. There are two artists' pinholes in the upper corners. The sheet is fixed to the mount along the edges. This work is in very good 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. 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."

signed 'Viera da Silva', dated '56' (lower right), watercolour on paper. Executed in 1956.

Fig. 1  Vieira da Silva au 34 rue de l'Abbé-Carton, photographiée par Adelman

 

Quand je peins, je calcule, oui, je suis toujours en train de calculer toujours. Je calcule le dosage de tel millimètre. Le dosage de la densité. La correspondance de telle tache avec telle autre tache. Le tableau se fait uniquement avec ça... La littérature, la pensée, ca n'existe pas quand je peins. [...] Que de fois je modifie une tache minime, si minime que personne ne la voit, et il me semble que le tableau trouve sa force quand je fais cela. 

Maria Helena Viera da Silva
(cité in Bernard Nöel, Viera da Silva, Dessins, l'Atelier des Brisants, 2002, p. 19)