GEORGES ROUAULT | Personnage de cirque

(Possibly) Ambroise Vollard, Paris
Galerie Max Kaganovitch, Paris
Abraham & Nadia Jaglom, New York (acquired from the above in 1962)
Thence by descent to the present owner

(Possibly) New York, Hammer Galleries, Decades of Light, Early Modern French Painting 1870-1910, 1980, n.n. (titled Man Who Does Not Wear Mask)

Executed on cardboard which has been laid down on canvas. There is a varnish preventing UV light from fully penetrating but examination under UV light reveals some in-painting to the craquelure of the upper left and upper right backgrounds and along the proper left side of the figure's face and neck. There is craquelure visible in places, most notably to the green pigments of the background to the left of the composition. The surface would benefit from a clean and 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."

The authenticity of this work has been confirmed by the Fondation Georges Rouault.