Pablo Picasso

Estate of the artist
Marina Picasso (the artist’s granddaughter; acquired from the above)

Munich, Haus der Kunst; Cologne, Josef-Haubrich-Kunsthalle; Frankfurt, Städtische Galerie im Städelschen Kunstinstitut & Zurich, Kunsthaus, Pablo Picasso, Eine Ausstellung zum hundertsten Geburtstag, Werke aus der Sammlung Marina Picasso, 1981-82, no. 37 (dated 1905)
Venice, Centro di Cultura di Palazzo Grassi, Picasso, Opere dal 1895 al 1971 dalla Collezione Marina Picasso, 1981, no. 52, illustrated in the catalogue
Barcelona, Museu Picasso & Bern, Musée des beaux-arts, Picasso 1905-1906, 1992, no. 114, illustrated in the catalogue
Barcelona, Museu Picasso & Martigny, Fondation Pierre Gianadda, Picasso i el circ / Picasso et le cirque, 2006-07, no. 303, illustrated in color in the catalogue

Christian Zervos, Pablo Picasso, Supplément aux années 1903-1906, vol. XXII, Paris, 1970, no. 336, illustrated p. 121

Executed on a medium to light brown paper, affixed to a mat at all four corner with extensive notes about the composition in the right margin: "l'arlequin reduit de moitie" "la femme telle" ; numbered "11" and "12" along the lower edge, possibly by the hand of the artist. There is staining at each of the four corners from the glue used to affix the sheet to the artist's mat. There is what appears to be studio surface dirt in a series of splashes in the lower right corner (as seen in the catalogue illustration). There is a minor loss to the paper approx. 1/16 in. located in the background in the upper right quadrant. A spot of staining to the lower right quadrant and some scattered foxing - in particularly just to the right of the female figure's neck and in the background to the left of the standing male figure. There is some light creasing to the paper throughout the composition, most notably a diagonal line running from the lower left corner to the right edge. Further lighter creasing to the center of the left edge and a crease to the lower right corner. The pigment is fresh and strong. The work is in relatively 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.
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.