Details

Provenance

Gallery Haas & Fuchs, Zurich Private Collection, Europe Christie's, London, 2 July 2014, Lot 182 Acquired from the above by the present owner

Literature

Angelika Affentranger-Kirchrath, The Magic of the Real , Bern 2004, pp. 235-37, illustrated in colour (ed. no. unknown) Condition Colour: The colours in the catalogue illustration are fairly accurate, although there are more blue undertones in the original. Condition: This work is in very good condition. The sheet is pinned to the backing board along the top edge. There are artist's pinholes to the top two corner tips. All four edges are deckled. There are some light handling marks and creasing to the edges, which is a result of the artist's choice of media. "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." Catalogue Note “A portrait must not express anything of the sitter’s ‘soul’, essence or character. For this reason, among others, it is far better to paint a portrait from a photograph, because no one can ever paint a specific person” (Franz Gertsch cited in: Dietmar Elger, Gerhard Richter: A Life in Painting , Chicago 2009, p. 74).

Catalog summary

Franz Gertsch Silvia signed and numbered 1/21 on the reverse xylographic print on handmade Japanese rice paper image: 191.5 by 176.5 cm. 75 3/8 by 69 1/2 in. sheet: 244 by 217.7 cm. 96 by 85 3/4 in. Executed in 2001-02, this work is number 1 from an edition of 21 and is unique in its colourway. Provenance Gallery Haas & Fuchs, Zurich Private Collection, Europe Christie's, London, 2 July 2014, Lot 182 Acquired from the above by the present owner Literature Angelika Affentranger-Kirchrath, The Magic of the Real , Bern 2004, pp. 235-37, illustrated in colour (ed. no. unknown) Condition Colour: The colours in the catalogue illustration are fairly accurate, although there are more blue undertones in the original. Condition: This work is in very good condition. The sheet is pinned to the backing board along the top edge. There are artist's pinholes to the top two corner tips. All four edges are deckled. There are some light handling marks and creasing to the edges, which is a result of the artist's choice of media. "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." Catalogue Note “A portrait must not express anything of the sitter’s ‘soul’, essence or character. For this reason, among others, it is far better to paint a portrait from a photograph, because no one can ever paint a specific person” (Franz Gertsch cited in: Dietmar Elger, Gerhard Richter: A Life in Painting , Chicago 2009, p. 74).