Ben Shahn 1898 - 1969

James Gruenbaum (sold: Sotheby Parke-Bernet, New York, December 4, 1980, lot 148, illustrated)
Sid Deutsch Gallery, New York (acquired from the above sale)
Acquired by the present owner, circa 1985

The following condition report has been prepared by Julius Lowy Frame and Restoring Company, Inc.: The artwork is a gouache painting which has been executed on paper and mounted to a millboard support\ with an aqueous based adhesive. The paper support is oxidized and there are two small tears along the lower right edge and the bottom center edge. There is also glue residue along the center right edge. The gouache media layers, which have been applied directly to the paper, are in good and stable condition. Ultraviolet examination reveals a normal fluorescence of the artist's pigments with no prior inpainting visible. Upon visual inspection, the artwork appears to have a light layer of surface dirt. The painting is signed in the bottom right in black: Ben Shahn. Overall, the artwork is in 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.
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 is the original gouache after which a serigraph, in an edition of four known impressions, was made.