Georges Papazoff

Galerie de Seine, Paris 
Sale: Blanche, Versailles, 7th June 1978, lot 101
Purchased at the above sale by the present owner

Sofia, Galerie des Beaux Arts Ludmila Jivkova, Georges Papazoff, 1988
Geneva, Musée du Petit Palais, Georges Papazoff... Précurseur et franc-tireur du Surréalisme, 1992-93
Turin, Palazzo Bricherasio, Da Renoir a Picasso: un secolo d'arte dal Petit Palais di Ginevra, illustrated in the catalogue

André B. Nakov, Papazoff, franc-tireur du surréalisme, Brussels, 1973, illustrated p. 94
Philippe Soupault, Papazoff, Paris, 1975, illustrated p. 31
Gaston Diehl, Papazoff, Paris, 1995, no. 41, illustrated in colour p. 89

The canvas is lined. There is a layer of varnish preventing UV light from fully penetrating, however UV examination reveals small intermittent re-touchings along all four edges due to previous frame rubbing. There are two small spots of retouching towards the centre of the upper edge and some further scattered spots and lines in places. There is some undulation to the canvas towards the upper right corner. This work is in overall good condition.
"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."

Born in Bulgaria, Georges Papazoff moved to Paris in 1924 and there rapidly became closely involved with the vibrant artistic scene of the day. A friend of Joan Miró, Pablo Picasso and Max Ernst, Papazoff’s diverse œuvre was imbued with an undeniable Surrealist quality whilst retaining an utterly distinctive style and subject-matter. Impressive in scope and scale, Les Deux amies depicts two vast geometric heads floating amidst a dark background, as though caught endlessly within a spatial void. A significant motif within Papazoff’s work, the artist returned frequently to the subject of the two adjoining angular heads throughout his career, with the present work, painted in 1928, being arguably one of the earliest examples of the theme.