Abraham Mintchine

This painting is not lined but has been stretched on a newer stretcher. The paint layer is stable. The canvas is well stretched. The work is clean. Under ultraviolet light, no retouches are visible. The face of the figure in the center and the face of the figure in the lower left have marks of pink pigment on the surface which seem to be original. There is also a small area of this material in the cheek of the head in the lower right. The reason for their existence is unknown to me, but they are odd looking and may conceivably be later additions. Closer inspection by a restorer may be of use here. It is possible that these marks could be safely removed. Regardless, the work seems to be in very healthy state. The above condition report has been provided by Simon Parkes of Simon Parkes Art Conservation, Inc. 502 East 74th St. New York, NY 212-734-3920, simonparkes@msn.com, an independent restorer 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.

It is possible this work was once part of a larger composition that was cut down by the artist himself.

Abraham Mintchine was born in Kiev in 1898 and spent three years working in Berlin, making a name for himself in the artistic communities. He participated in the monumental Erste Russishe Kunstausstellung (First Russian Art Exhibition) in Berlin in 1922, and his works hung alongside masterpieces by Marc Chagall, El Lissitzky, and Kazimir Malevich. He went on to Paris and became part of the Jewish émigré artist community, befriending Amedeo Modigliani and Chaim Soutine.