Charles & Anne Morrow Lindbergh, Darien, Connecticut (acquired in Paris in 1939)
Thence by descent 

This work is in good condition. The sheet does not present tears or paper losses. Overall the medium is very well preserved and does not show signs of smudging or drift. The paper is stretched taut over an 1/8" thick acidic paper pulp board attached to a four member wooden strainer. The four edges of the paper are glued to the reverse of the strainer. An interleaf behind the board support is cut in an 'x' pattern to relieve stress. Over time, however, expansion and contraction of the primary paper and support have caused moderate buckling at the four corners. Visually, the paper is mildly oxidized throughout from a natural process of aging due to light exposure, but this is not distracting. Two small and diffuse foxing spots are visible: one right-of-center and another at the bottom-left quadrant near the base of the vase. Contact with water has also contributed to a mild 1/4" round spot at the lower-right quadrant; This may be original to production but could have darkened with time.
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.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

Redon's exquisite floral still lifes are the hallmark of the artist's production. The most successful and appealing of these compositions were those that he executed in pastel. The velvety texture of this medium added a sensual dimension to the subject, evoking the feel and the even the fragrance of each petal and leaf. Redon's skill for eliciting sensations that could not otherwise be captured in a two-dimensional work set him apart from his colleagues, and his floral pastels ultimately came to define his artistic identity. The present work serves as a prime example of the defining motif of his career.

Redon's first sti𝓀ll lifes date from the 1860s, but he did not focus on the theme in earnest until around 1900. In the years that preceded, Redon devoted himself to the Symbolist movement and the depiction of obscure or supernatural themes. It was during this period in the 1880s and 1890s that he became well known for his "noir" drawings. These works were rendered with charcoal or dark crayon, and their ethereal, atmospheric quality directly influenced Redon's twentieth-century still lifes.

Redon'🌜s floral still lifes were received with great enthusiasm when they were first exhibited at Galerie Durand-Ruel at the turn of the century. These pictures attracted a wider audience than his earlier, more obscure compositions, and the pastels in particular were more appealing to the tastes of the bourgeoisie. Since then, Redon's floral pastels have become a favorite among collectors of twentieth-century art.

The present work once held a prominent position in the collection of Charles A. Lindbergh & Anne Morrow Lindbergh💙. Nicknamed Slim, Lucky Lindy and the Lone Eagle, Charles Lindbergh was a pioneer of modern aviation completing the first ever non-stop trans-Atlantic flight. Upon completion of this flight, he received the nation&r🎃squo;s highest military honor, the Medal of Honor.