Pierre Bonnard

Galerie Louis Carré & Co., Paris

Overall the work is in very good condition. Executed on cream wove paper mounted on canvas. The edges of the sheet are taped and the artist's pinholes are visible at all four corners, as well as at the center of the top and bottom edges. There are small losses to the sheet at the extreme corners. There is some extremely minor craquelure in the thickest areas of red pigment near the lower left corner and in a few other areas of thick pigment. The sheet is slightly undulating towards the corners. Otherwise the surface is clean and the colors are bright and fresh.
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.

The present work is an original gouache that Bonnard created for an edition of color lithographs executed between 1942 and 1943. Bonnard worked with Jacques Villon to transfer his original images onto lithograph stones. The edition was printed at the Atelier Hazan in Paris and later distributed by Louis Carré. The print is recorded under no. 116 in Francis Bouvet, Bonnard: The Complete Graphic Work, London, 1981.

Fig. 1 The artist in his studio circa 1945