John Baldessari

Estimate

400,000 - 600,000 USD

bidding is closed

Description

John Baldessari
A Fix'd Inflexible Sorrow
black and white photograph with vinyl paint, in 2 parts
Overall: 126 1/2 by 158 1/4 in. 321.3 by 402 cm.
Executed in 1988, this work will be included in volume three of the John Baldessari Catalogue Raisonné.

Provenance

Sonnabend Gallery, New York
Acquired by the present owner from the above in April 1990

Exhibited

Madrid, Centro de Arte Reina Sofia, Ni por Esas / Not Even So: John Baldessari, January - February 1989, p. 52, illustrated
CAPC Musée d'Art Contemporain de Bordeaux and Institut Valencià d'Art Modern, Centre Julio Gonzalez, John Baldessari: Oeuvres de 1966 - 1988, March - July 1989

Condition

This work is in good condition overall. On the upper exposed panel, there are scattered abrasions and minor media accretions that are only visible under close inspection. There is evidence of wear and handling to all four sides and edges of the panel, particularly to the extreme corners. The sheet appears to have a slight undulation, and scattered surface creases along the left edge of the sheet in the top left quadrant, which appear inherent to the artist's working method. There is an irregularly cut edge extending across the center of the sheet which shows signs of wear and handling.
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.

Catalogue Note

"I would go to the library and read books on photography. I could never figure out why photography and art had separate histories. So I decided to explore both. It could be seen as a next step for me, getting away from paintings. That might be fruitful. Later, that was called conceptual art."
John Baldessari