KEES VAN DONGEN | Le Cirque

Collection Esmerian, Paris
Galerie Bernard Lorenceau, Paris (acquired circa 1958)
Galerie Félix Vercel, Paris (acquired by 1973)
Acquired from the above by the current owner in 1979

Paris, Galerie Félix Vercel, Quelques signatures rares, 1973, no. 8, illustrated in colour in the catalogue
Rotterdam, Museum Bojmans-Van Beuningen; Lyon, Musée des Beaux-Arts & Paris, Institut Néerlandais, The Van Dongen Nobody Knows, Early and Fauvist Drawings 1895-1912, 1996-97, no. 99, illustrated in colour in the catalogue
Paris, Galerie Félix Vercel, Hommage à mon père, 1998, illustrated in colour in the catalogue
Turin, Palazzo Bricherasio & Lodève, Musée de Lodève, Les Fauves et la critique, 1999, no. 29, illustrated in colour in the catalogue
Barcelona, Museu Picasso, Kees Van Dongen, 2009, n.n., illustrated in colour in the catalogue
Paris, Musée d’art moderne de la ville de Paris, Van Dongen, fauve, anarchiste et mondain, 2011, no. 30, illustrated in colour in the catalogue

Claude Jeancolas, L'Art Fauve, Paris, 2006, illustrated in colour p. 80

Oil and charcoal on paper laid down on canvas, it has not been possible to examine this work fully out of its frame. Examination under UV light reveals some spots of fluorescence to the extreme edges, particularly to the right part of the upper edge, which appear to correspond to losses to the paper surface. There is some minor undulation to the sheet, most notably to the right part of the composition.There are some small losses and some minor repaired tears in places to the extreme edges and there is some craquelure visible to the thicker white pigments. 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."

This work is accompanied by an Attestation of Inclusion from the Wildenstein Institute, and it will be included in the forthcoming van Dongen Digital Catalogue Raisonné, currently being prepared under the sponsorship of the Wildenstein Plattner Institute, Inc.