A new client's journey to obtain a COA

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  The journey of a new client

  Many clients invest heavily in authentication services, often leading to disappointing results.

  A recent example involved a customer who believed she owned a Claude Monet painting.

  • She engaged a reputable company for authentication, spending $15,000 over several months, only to be informed the painting was not by Monet.

    Key Insights on Unsigned Paintings:

  • An unsigned painting often suggests the artist didn’t consider it finished and deferred signing until satisfied with its completion.

  • Artists rarely sign incomplete works—a fundamental principle in the art world.

  • For a painting to be authenticated, especially as a Monet, it typically requires a signature and solid provenance.

  • Convincing institutions like the Wildenstein Institute of authenticity is already challenging for signed works; for unsigned pieces without provenance, it is virtually impossible.

  • While some old masters did not always sign their works, unsigned modern paintings are exceedingly rare unless linked to atelier sales (e.g., Degas or Corot).

• The Client’s Journey:

  • The customer later speculated her painting might be a Manet rather than a Monet.

  • Upon examination, the work showed signs of age and was skillfully executed, potentially by a major artist or as a period copy.

  • I advised her that identifying the artist without a signature would require an extensive budget, with success chances being less than 0.1%. Without significant resources, pursuing this was impractical.

• A Turn of Fortune:

  • The same client returned with a signed Degas.

  • This time, the painting was authenticated by Brame and Lorenceau, confirming its genuineness.
    

  • www.vwart.com. art expert