Armando Reverón (1889-1954)

The Collection of Lucila Raffali, Caracas
Sale: Christie's, New York, Important Latin American Paintings, Drawings and Sculpture, November 2, 1990, lot 54, illustrated in color

Caracas, Museo de Arte Contemporáneo, Armando Reverón, January 1983

Alfredo Boulton, La Obra de Armando Reverón, Caracas, 1966, p. 115, illustrated in color
Juan Calzadilla, Armando Reverón, Caracas, 1979, no. 133, p. 225, illustrated in color
Juan Carlos Palenzuela, Reverón, La Mirada lúcida, Caracas, 2007, p. 115, illustrated in color

This painting on canvas has been lined, but not recently. The paint layer is stable, and the texture is unaffected by the lining. The paint layer is unvarnished and clean. There may be an area of retouching in the upper center in the sky that has slightly discolored. The rest of the picture has remained impressively unchanged since it was painted. It is unusual to find a work by this artist that has not become acidified or browner over time. Not only is there no visible acidification of the canvas or paint layer here, but the paint itself is unabraded, clean and not varnished – as it should be. Under ultraviolet light some of the heaviest applications of paint in the sky read darker than others. The paint layer seems to be mostly original. However, there have possibly been later applications of paint in the upper left, in the lower right of the sky and around the trees in the lower left. This artist tends to paint in a very unstable and frail fashion, but this particular picture is in very healthy state. (This condition report has been provided courtesy of Simon Parkes Art Conservation, Inc.)
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.