Jesús F. Contreras

Overall the condition of the marble is very good with some dirt and wear to the surface consistent with age. There are some very slight orange marks and some scratches to the lower left corner. There is a shallow hole at the top. There are a few naturally occurring inclusions, including to the woman's chest.
"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."

The Mexican sculptor Jesús Fructuoso Contreras trained at the Instituto Nacional de Bellas Artes in Mexico before moving to Paris, where he earned a medal in the 1889 Exposition Universelle. On returning to Mexico City, he was commissioned to complete a number of noteworthy public monuments. The present model exists as a full length nude, a version of which is held in the Museo Andrés Blaisten in Mexico City. The subject, L'Eveil, is poeticised in this Michelangelesque composition, where the figure appears to emerge from a bed of uncarved marble.