Tsuguharu Foujita

Private Collection, Switzerland (acquired circa 2005)

This painting has been treated with wax on the reverse. Foujita's paintings of this kind almost always crack quite visibly, and the cracking here is by no means unusual. The painting is probably only slightly dirty, but it should not necessarily be cleaned. At some point, the neck and the lower part of the face seem to have become thin or possibly abraded, and these areas have received some restorations. There are also some restorations in the torso of the figure. Ideally, the restoration would be re-examined. In my opinion, there is no question that there has been some abrasion to this delicate and fickle paint layer that does need retouching. The above condition report has been prepared by Simon Parkes, an independent conservator who is not an employee of Sotheby's.
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.

Kiki de Montparnasse, whose real name was Alice Prin, became famous during the 1920s as an artist, model and cabaret singer. She was the symbol of bohemian Paris during the 'annees folles,' when Montparnasse supplanted Montmartre as the epicenter of the art world. A native of Burgundy, she quickly became a favorite model for Foujita, Kisling and Picabia, amongst others. Later, her collaborations with her lover Man Ray would produce some of his most striking images of Surrealism including Noire et blanche and Le violon d'Ingres.