Albrecht Dürer

Engraving, 1508, a fine Meder b impression, with the scratches above the dragon's head, on paper with part of a Bull's Head watermark (cf. M. 62-63)

With narrow margins, in good condition apart from the platemark and extreme edge of landscape at lower left strengthened with pen and ink, unframed.
"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."

Gerardo Rueda, Artist and Collector (1926-1996)

Gerardo Rueda was one of the most relevant 20^th century artists of Spanish abstraction, and also a significant collector and advisor to important institutions around the world, such as the Louvre and the Fogg Art Museum, Harvard. In the 1940s he began his travels to Paris, London, New York, Manila and Tokyo. It was in 1955 that he met and became close friends with the artist Fernando Zóbel, with whom he would share his passion for visiting galleries and antique dealers. It was on one of these trips to Paris, in 1978, that he would acquire the present work by Dürer (lot 13) and the two Rembrandt etchings (lots 30 and 39) from Galerie Paul Prouté, that are offered in this sale.

His contribution to the dissemination of contemporary art in Spain was also crucial. In 1966, together with Fernando Zóbel and Gustavo Torner, he founded the Museum of Abstract Spanish Art in Cuenca, one of the most important museums for Modern art in Spain. Gerardo Rueda would also be key in founding the Friends of the Prado Museum Foundation.

Rueda’s friendships with some of the most relevant international artists and intellectuals of the time, such as Jackson Pollock, Robert Motherwell, Andy Warhol, Ben Nicholson or Nicolas de Stäel, as well as with many curators and patrons of important museums such as the Meadows Museum, the Museum of Modern Art, the de Menil Collection or the National Gallery in Washington, would create strong bonds and forge an introduction and knowledge not only of his own work but of many other relevant Spanish contemporary artists of the time.