John McLaughlin

Felix Landau Gallery, Los Angeles
Nicholas Wilder Gallery, Los Angeles
Erin Magnin, Beverly Hills
Acquired from the above by A. Alfred Taubman

Detroit Institute of Arts, Contemporary Art in Detroit Collections, January - March 1982

This work is in good condition overall. There is evidence of light wear and handling along the edges. The canvas is taut on its stretcher and faint stretcher bar impressions with associated craquelure are visible. There is scattered craquelure throughout, primarily in the white painted fields, and a few areas of radial craquelure, all of which appear to be stable. Under very close inspection, a light brown drip accretion is visible in the center of the central white field. Under Ultraviolet light inspection, there are pinpoint areas that fluoresce darkly in the outer white bands. Framed.
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.

"My purpose is to achieve the totally abstract. I want to communicate only to the extent that the painting will serve to induce or intensify the viewer's natural desire for contemplation without benefit of a guiding principle. I must therefore free the viewer from the demands or special qualities imposed by the particular by omitting the image (object). This I manage by the use of neutral forms." John McLaughlin in Exh. Cat., Los Angeles, Felix Landau Gallery, John McLaughlin, 1962, n.p.