RAOUL DUFY (1877-1953)
Les perroquets, five studies
extensively inscribed; further inscribed '53176' (on the reverse of each sheet)
gouache and pencil on paper
59.8 x 45.4cm (23 9/16 x 17 7/8in). (larger sheet)
15 x 13.6cm (5 7/8 x 5 3/8in). (smaller sheets)
Executed circa 1923
Footnotes:
The authenticity of this work has been confirmed by Fanny Guillon-Laffaille.

Provenance
Bianchini-Férier Collection, Lyon, no. 53176 (acquired directly from the artist); their sale, Christie's, London, 25 July – 27 July 2001, lot 1783.
Private collection, UK (acquired at the above sale).
Private collection, UK (by descent from the above).

Exhibited
Honfleur, Les Greniers à sel, Raoul Dufy, La passion des tissus, 10 April – 25 May 1993.

Lower left sheet:

The sheet is attached to the mount at three points along the upper edge (verso). There are artist's pinholes to all four corners and the lower centre edge.

There are a couple of small tears to the left, right and lower outer edges, with some wear to the edges and corners of the sheet. There is a discreet tear to the centre left (approx. 1cm), with three further discreet tears to the centre right. There are one or two scattered tiny pinholes and losses to the pigment in places. The sheet has darkened slightly and there are some mild handling creases. A few tiny scattered spots of foxing visible.


Upper left sheet:

The sheet is attached to the mount at one point to the centre (verso).
There is an artist's pinhole to the right centre edge, with an associated stain, likely from an old paper clip. There are a few tiny losses of pigment in places.


Upper centre sheet:

The sheet is attached to the mount at one point to the centre (verso).

There is a tiny paper loss to the lower right corner. There are one or two tiny losses of pigment in places and a localised spot of hairline craquelure in the thicker green pigment to the upper left and to the lower right corners. One or two slight scuffs visible.


Upper right sheet:

The sheet is attached to the mount at two points to the centre and upper left corner (verso).

There is a small tear to the upper right edge (approx. 0.5cm). There is a diagonal folding crease to the upper right corner. There is a tiny nick to the left centre edge. There are a few tiny losses of pigment in places. One or two slight scuffs visible.


Right centre sheet:

The sheet is attached to the mount at two points to the centre and upper left corner (verso).

There is some wear to the upper right corner and a tiny paper loss to the lower left corner. There is a diagonal folding crease to the upper right corner. There are three tiny pinprick holes to the right bird's head, probably inherent. There are one or two tiny losses of pigment in places. One or two slight scuffs visible.


Lower centre sheet:

The sheet is attached to the mount at one point to the centre (verso).

There is a tiny paper loss to the lower left corner. There are one or two tiny losses of pigment in places. One or two slight scuffs visible.