Gigi Crampton
Alexander Iolas Gallery, New York (acquired by 1958)
William N. Copley, New York (acquired by 1976; sale: Sotheby Parke Bernet, New York, 5th November 1979, lot 43)
Alexander Iolas Gallery, New York
Acquired from the above by the present owner

Paris, Galerie Georges Bernheim, Max Ernst, Ses Oiseaux, Ses Fleurs Nouvelles, Ses Forêts Volantes, Ses Malédictions, Son Satanas, 1928, no. 47
Berlin, Galerie Flechtheim & Dusseldorf, Galerie Flechtheim, Max Ernst, 1929, no. 45
London, Institute of Contemporary Arts Gallery, Max Ernst, Drawings, Paintings, Collages 1918-1952, 1952-53, no. 24
New York, Alexander Iolas Gallery, Max Ernst, 1958, no. 120
Besançon, Palais Granvelle, Surréalisme et Précurseurs, 1961, no. 79
London, Hanover Gallery, Max Ernst, Early and Recent Paintings and Sculpture, 1965, no. 60
Munich, Haus der Kunst & Berlin, Nationalgalerie, Max Ernst Retrospektive, 1979, no. 110, illustrated in the catalogue

Werner Spies, Max Ernst Œuvre Katalog, Werke 1925-1929, Cologne, 1976, vol. II, no. 949, illustrated p. 81

The canvas is wax-lined. There are two nailhead-sized and some further pinhead-sized spots of retouching to the upper part of the figures' heads and some small areas of retouching at intervals along the edges of the figures' hair. There are two nailhead-sized areas of paint loss towards the upper right corner (visible in the catalogue illustration), a 1.5cm. line of paint loss to the upper left edge, two further very thin lines to the centre of the left and right edges and a few minor pinhead-sized areas of paint loss towards the upper part of the work. There are minor areas of paint loss with associated intermittent specks of retouching at intervals along the edges, mainly to the upper edge, due to previous frame rubbing. All retouching is visible under UV light. Apart frome some light craquelure and minor surface dirt in the figures' hair, this work is in fairly good condition. Colours: Overall fairly accurate, although the blacks are stronger in the original.
"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."