E. J. Power, London
Private Collection, London (by descent from the above circa 1960)
Acquired from the above by the present owner

The board is sound and mounted to a stretcher for presentation. The colors are rich and vibrant. Under UV light small strokes of inpainting are visible to the extreme perimeter to address prior frame abrasion. Additional judicious strokes are visible scattered within the composition, most notably a 3-inch vertical area towards the bottom just right of center. Overall the work is in 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.
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.

As an active member of the Surrealist movement, Francis Picabia momentarily abandoned realistic subject matter and let his subconscious guide his paintbrush into producing curved-linear, brightly-colored creations, thus conceiving Composition abstraite amongst other prominent abstract canvases. At the height of Surrealism's popularity, Picabia abandoned linear perspective, recognizable forms, and ordinary color combinations. The lines and interconnected shapes seem to dance as they swirl collectively with one another. Composition abstraite, like many of Picabia's canvases, lacks a sense of spatial awareness, causing the eye to seek an equilibrium that is never revealed. This innovative feature cemented the artist's reputation in history as a prominent contributor to the revolutionary avant-garde movement. The extraordinary concepts of Picabia's work proved a vital influence on Op Art artist's such as Victor Vasarely and ensures that Picabia's legacy still lives on through his contemporary disciples.

"In these paintings Picabia eschews the straight line and loses himself in a labyrinth of curves forming circles and parabolas of colour. Through these superimposed planes of colour  the continuous line acquired an extra spatial dimension. The Dimensionalist adventure could harldy be better expresesed in plastic tems" (Maria Lluïsa Borràs, Picabia, Barcelona, 1985, p. 384).