Nicolas de Staël

Susanna Socca, Montevideo
Gallery Kramer, Buenos Aires
Collection particulière, Buenos Aires
Lases Gallery, Paris
Collection particulière, Zurich

Montevideo, Exposicion de Oleos y Dibujos de Nicolas de Staël, octobre 1948; catalogue, no.2
Moscou, Kournikova Gallery, Russian abstraction in France in the middle of XX century ; Charchoune, Lanskoy, Poliakoff, de Staël, 2006, pp.172-173

Roger van Gindertael, Nicolas de Staël, Art Aujourd'hui, Paris, no.10-11, mai-juin 1950, p.9, no.11
Jacques Dubourg et Françoise de Staël, Nicolas de Staël, catalogue raisonné des peintures, Paris, 1968, p.96, no.125, illustré
Françoise de Staël, Nicolas de Staël, catalogue raisonné de l'oeuvre peint, Neuchâtel, 1997, p.225, no.108, illustré

The colours are fairly accurate in the catalogue illustration although the contrast is more important in the original. The work is on its original canvas and is not relined. A few scattered thin cracks, especially to the impastos, are visible under close inspection. Some cracks areas have been stabilized, only visible on the reverse of the canvas. A minor loss of paint located in the upper left corner is only visible under close inspection. Under UV light, a careful minor restauration (approx. 0,5 x 0,5 cm) located 11 cm from the left edge and 22 cm from the lower edge fluoresce. This work is in very good 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 and dated on the back; oil on canvas. Executed in 1947.

«Un mot encore de la palette. Elle va des gris les plus fraîchement argentés aux noirs les plus profonds avec des blancs laiteux et rares qui donnent au tableau son regard ; de l'or vieux de la fibule déterrée au brun rosé aperçu en passant à bicyclette, elle a, cette palette, les couleurs de l'automne, les nuances d'un parterre de feuilles mortes sur la terre mouillée, les surprises aussi de l'imprévu [...]. Nous sommes devant un peintre exceptionnel qui, dans son travail, a le don très rare de transformer en vision intuitive l'extrême qualité de la substance». (Pierre Courthion, extrait de Bonjour à Nicolas de Staël, préface de l'exposition de Montevideo, 1948).