FÉLIX VALLOTTON | Les blés, Arques-la-Bataille, 1903

Robert Biedermann-Mantel, Winterthur (1909)
Galerie Fischer, Lucerne, 20th June 1964, lot 1761 
Willy Raeber, Basel (purchased at the above sale)
Galerie Kurt Meissner, Zurich
Frank W. Glaser, Chicago
Bruno Meissner (1992)
Feilchenfeldt, Zurich (1992)
Christie's, Zurich, 7th June 2004, lot 54
Corporate collection, Switzerland (purchased at the above sale by the present owner)

Lausanne, Musée cantonal des Beaux-Arts, Félix Vallotton, 1992/93

Livre de raison, no. 508 
Rudolf Koella, Das Bild der Landschaft im Schaffen von Félix Vallotton. Wesen, Bedeutung, Entwicklung, 1969, p. 169f (LK 115)
Rudolf Koella, "Le Retour au paysage historique". Zur Entstehung und Bedeutung von Vallottons später Landschaftssmalerei", in: "Beiträge zur Kunst des 19. und 20. Jahrhunderts," yearbook 1968-1969, Zurich 1970/I, Pl. 6, Pl. 7 (esquisse), p. 33f.
Félix Vallotton, exibition catalogue, Yale University Art Gallery, New Heaven/Museum of Fine Arts, Houston/Museum of Arts, Indianapolis/Rijksmuseum Vincent Van Gogh, Amsterdam/Musée cantonal des beaux-arts, Lausanne, New Haven/New York/London/Paris/Yale/Abbeville 1991, pl. 213 and pl. 214, p. 176f., p. 187
Marina Ducrey in collaboration with Katia Poletti, Félix Vallotton (1865-1925). L'oeuvre peint, catalogue raisonné, Milan/Lausanne/Zurich 2005, vol. II, p. 289, ill. (in colour)

There is a small paint lift above far right hay bale. A small retouching has been made along the centre of the lower margin that is visible under UV light. There are painting abrasions along the margins, mostly along the upper right and upper left corners of the canvas. There is some minor craquelure visible in the sky. Otherwise in very 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."

Vallotton painted the present work during a summer holiday in Normandy, near the English Channel. Shown are wheat stacks, a frequent sight in late summer and characteristic for the rural region in the north of France.  In the late 19^th century this motif was explored by numerous artists such as Jean-François Millet, Vincent Van Gogh and Claude Monet. Vallotton hat dieses Gemälde während eines seiner Sommeraufenthalte in der Normandie unweit des Ärmelkanales gemalt. Die zu Garben gebundenen Weizenhalme sind ein typisches Landschaftsmotiv aus der sommerlichen Jahreszeit und für diese ländliche Gegend im Norden Frankreichs typisch. Ein landschaftliches Thema, das zahlreiche Künstler interessierte wie bereits Jean-François Millet, Vincent Van Gogh und Claude Monet im ausgehenden 19. Jahrhundert.