Georges Papazoff

Sale: Blanche, Versailles, 14th June 1978, lot 81
Oscar Ghez Collection (purchased at the above sale)
Thence by descent to the present owner

Paris, Galerie de Seine, Papazoff, sur les pas du peintre, 1971, illustrated in the catalogue
Sofia, Galerie des Beaux Arts de la Fondation Ludmila Jivkova, Georges Papazoff, 1988
Geneva, Musée du Petit Palais, Georges Papazoff. Précurseur et franc-tireur du Surréalisme, 1993
Geneva, Musée du Petit Palais, Les Heures chaudes de Montparnasse, 1995
Monteuil, 45ème congrés de la CGT, Le Temps de créer un siècle, 1895-1995, 1995, illustrated in the catalogue
Geneva, Musée du Petit Palais, Aux sources de l’art moderne - Nouveau regard sur la collection, 1998

Gaston Diehl, Papazoff, Paris, 1995, no. 57, illustrated in colour p. 108 & illustrated on the back cover

The canvas is not lined. Examination under UV light reveals an uneven varnish layer and scattered spots and areas of retouching to the black background. There are fine lines of craquelure predominantly to the central round element. There is a spot of abrasion to the lower right corner. There is strong and well preserved impasto throughout. 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 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. Executed in 1925 and relating to a series of images depicting fantastical heads which the artist was working on at the time, Rêverie was one of the earliest paintings in which Papazoff employed sand in order to achieve a more variegated and rich texture.