Lee Bontecou

Leo Castelli Gallery, New York 
Dwan Gallery, New York
Collection of Betty Asher, Los Angeles
Christie's, New York, 12 November 1982, Lot 248
Acquired from the above sale by the present owner

Claremont, Pomona College, Painting of Today, September - October 1962
Pasadena Art Museum, New American Sculpture, February - March 1964, cat. no. 1, illustrated
La Jolla Museum of Contemporary Art, The Wall Object, January - March 1973 
New York, Art Students League, Women and the Making of Art History, February 1982

This work is in very good and sound condition overall. The variations in tone of the leather hide are inherent to the artist’s working method and chosen medium and a few minor scattered pinpoint accretions are visible throughout the leather and canvas elements. There are two variations in tone and abrasions in the upper right and left quadrants that are different in texture with some spots of residue. A few of the artist-punctured holes have frayed and detached from the wire, however all elements remain stable. Under very close inspection, two parallel approximately 8-inch light diagonal abrasions are visible in the lower right quadrant. There is a light rust to the frame and rods, consistent with the artist’s intent. On the reverse, the weld of the upper horizontal rod is broken at the proper left join with the L-frame. This weld-brake does not adversely affect adversely the stability of the work as long as it is not used to hang from this rod. The sculpture should be hung by the eyehook welded for that purpose to the top center of the L-frame. Please note the auction begins at 9:30 am on November 17th.
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.

"Lee Bontecou was one of the first to use a three-dimensional form that was neither painting nor sculpture. Her work is explicit and powerful...The idea was unique. The first show at Castelli came in 1960 and the second in 1962...Often power lies in a polarization of elements and qualities, or at least in a combination of dissimilar ones. The power of Bontecou's reliefs is remarkably single. The three primary aspects, the scale, the structure and the image, are simple, definite and powerful."

Donald Judd, “Lee Bontecou,” Arts Magazine, April 1965 in Donald Judd Complete Writings 1959-1975, New York 1975, p. 178