- 139
Graham Sutherland, O.M.
Estimate
40,000 - 60,000 GBP
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Description
- Graham Sutherland, O.M.
- The Toad III
- signed and dated 1959; further signed with initials, titled and dated 1959 on the reverse
- oil on canvas
- 81 by 65cm.; 32 by 25½in.
Condition
Original canvas.
There are one or two tiny handling marks and very minor rubbing to the extreme edges, most probably in line with a previous framing, only visible upon extremely close inspection. These excepting the work appears in excellent overall condition.
Ultraviolet light reveals a couple of tiny areas of fluorescence and probable retouchings to the centre of the extreme left hand edge, possibly in line with a previous frame abrasion.
Housed in a thick black wooden frame.
Please contact the department on +44 (0) 207 293 6424 if you have any questions regarding the present work.
"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. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."
"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. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."
Catalogue Note
The present work was painted at a time when Sutherland was painting a series with animals as the subject matter. He found this toad in 1958 and kept it for a day in his bath. Before releasing the animal, he took several photographs and was to paint several compositions of this subject between 1958 and 1962. At this time he was concerned to examine the essential characteristics of animals, here catching the menacing nature of the toad. He explained: `only through this demonstration of their nature do animals pay unconscious tribute to the power which created them’ (the Artist, quoted in John Hayes, Graham Sutherland, Phaidon, Oxford, 1980, p. 142).