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Investigating the Authenticity and Attributions of Works of Art believed to be by;

Grant DeVolson Wood

American

(1891-1942)

 Grant Wood rose to prominence with his paintings of rural American life and later became a leading figure in the Regionalist movement alongside fellow Midwesterners Thomas Hart Benton and John Steuart Curry. But it was his iconic painting from 1930 called American Gothic, with its wry depiction of a man and woman standing before a gothic farmhouse, that launched Wood to the heights of fame as a national celebrity. Today, it is one of the highlights of the collection of the Art Institute of Chicago.
  When Grant Wood posed his sister, Nan, as the female half of American Gothic, his dentist did the honours as the fellow with the pitchfork, they could not have foreseen how deeply her likeness would resonate. A plain, stern-faced Iowa woman has a timeless, enigmatic quality that led some viewers to call her the “American Mona Lisa.

 Without question the most personal work of the artist’s distinguished oeuvre is his portrait of Nan. (Illustrated below) The painting of his beloved sister was the only work that Wood claimed he would never sell and it was, in fact, the only major work in oil which the artist kept for himself throughout his life.

 As soon as the demand starts and becomes greater for any successful artists works of art, many of them often exceed their auction estimates and expectations. But as they do increase in value and examples become more and more rare, it is important to distinguish between those works that were actually executed by the artist, compared to those either 'claiming' to be by them, perhaps bearing a false signature or monogram, or a work that we are told was created by the artist as an attribution and of course, being able to identify those that are illegitimate. But there also may always be those minor works or drawings that could have slipped through the net over time and been hidden away in an attic or a drawer somewhere.  For any of those purposes, you may need some help.

 Unsigned and otherwise anonymous works are attributed to an artists hand stylistically and usually with academic soundness. Others less so, some using guess work, or even misattributing them deliberately for intentional financial gain.

Others may be described as being a contribution by someone close to the artist from within their circle of influence. There are also those that are created by an artists followers. Simply artists working in a similar style and using comparable subject matter and technique to the artist they admire.

 So the question will remain, is a work of art authentic and is an attribution to a specific artist, or a description of a work of art itself, reliable and sound? In that respect we can help.

 We are able to assist and advise you in all fine art related matters, particularly issues of the authenticity and attributions of American and International art, including the works of Grant Wood and any works of art that you need assistance and advice with.

 Just a few examples of works associated with this name appear below as illustrations. 

No inference is made, nor is it intended as to the question of legitimacy here. Moreover these are an across the board representational view of the differing types of works that are and may in the future be offered and advertised for sale at auction internationally that you could need specialist advise on.

   The duration and the direction of any authenticity investigation or inquiry into an attribution of a work of art will inevitably vary from project to project. But there are clear and very well defined professional formalities, responsibilities and areas of scrutiny that we can formally assist you with, including:

• Authentication: Authentification:   Conducting comprehensive investigations and in depth research into a work of art, with a view to establishing a correct, complete and formally recognized certification. One absolutely upheld by the appropriate, legally acknowledged and internationally sanctioned authority, body or given expert on that artist. Directing detailed and complicated inquiries, with multilingual capability, including any international academic research and forensic applications that are required.
  

•  Attribution:  Identifying and confirming the identity of a previously anonymous artist, studio or workshop from which a work of art most likely originated. Including the re-examination and investigation of a previous attribution which may be incorrect, or the scrutiny of an attribution that has been formally questioned or is currently formally doubted.
  

•  Confirmation:  Undertaking research and investigations into the legitimacy of the provenance, history and prior ownership of a work of art and establishing its accuracy and own legitimacy.
  
  

•  Scrutiny: Examen minutieux:  Identifying fake or faux works of art and forgeries, including any false supportive accompanying documentation and determining works of art which may be studio or later copies, or previously given, incorrect attributions.
  
  

•  Prosecution: Poursuite:  Investigating alleged art fraud and forgery and assisting and advising those who are currently, or may be considering litigating or prosecuting the fact. This includes colleagues who are legal professionals and individual private clients.
  
  

•  Attention:  Conducting all fine art related due diligence and duty of care inquiries. Including safe prepurchase or sale related audits and assisting clients in consolidating well balanced future family distribution.

•  Appraisal: Évaluation -  Valuations and condition reports.

Step one in the Art Authentication and Attribution process.

The Pre-Authentication Assessment

   L'évaluation de pré-authentification. La evaluación previa a la autenticación

 We strongly advise clients before embarking on a full investigation of legitimacy or an artist or studio attribution inquiry, that it is wise to have an impartial preliminary assessment conducted first. One made to balance any issues that may be present that could make the longer term exercise unviable.

 This is a professional advisory service that we provide, based upon the images you supply, the full details of work of arts acquisition, its history and provenance as is known to you, along with sight of any documentation, previous research or analysis that you may have had formerly conducted on it. You should then have a far better understanding of both the prospects or any pitfalls we might face, before making a decision.

This is a logical and cost effective professional review and advisory for which there is a modest set fee.

Our FAQ section covers this in more detail, or:

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ABOUT A WORK OF ARTS DESCRIPTOR AND TERMINOLOGY

  *It is very important to clearly understand the auction terms that are commonly used in any published descriptor and to be cautious of works that may just be created in the 'manner of' the artist, or those which could be variants of the artists works of art that 'bear a signature' or monogram. In this case as if they were defining the creations of the American artist; Grant DeVolson Wood - American (1891-1942)

•  Where the name, Grant Wood (1891-1942), is given with the first name/s and surname of the artist, usually cited as,Grant Wood (1891-1942) ,  including his dates to be specific, then in their qualified and professional opinion, they are in no doubt. It is a genuine and authentic item and one painted by that artist. This is usually fully qualified by its inclusion in any catalogue raissone, or by the guarantee of the opinion given by appropriate and internationally recognized expert authority on the artist.

•  When Grant Wood (1891-1942) , is the term used, or it is similarly defined as Attrib. to ' [abbreviated,] or Attribué à, or ascribed to, then in their opinion it is 'probably' a work by the artist, at least in part. But... there is no guarantee. It is only an opinion that it 'possibly' may be by the artist.

•  But if the term Grant Wood (1891-1942) - circle of, entourage, or “Circle of Grant Wood (1891-1942) ” is specifically used, then in their opinion, it is a work only of the period of the artist, but showing their influence. Or by someone closely associated with the artist, BUT not necessarily by their pupil or student.

•  When the name is given thus; Painted in the “Style of Grant Wood ” or “Follower of Grant Wood is used, this means that in their opinion it is a work of art executed only in the artist’s way, their 'style', but not necessarily by a pupil. Yet it may be a contemporary, or nearly a contemporary of the artist.

•  If the phrase in the “Manner Grant Wood is used or is defined….” then in their opinion it is also only a work painted in the style of the artist, but of a later date and definitely not by the artist as named.

•  When the term “After….Grant Wood "; is the term used, then in their opinion it is a copy (made at any date) of an authentic and original work by the artist. This also applies to prints made 'after' an original work of art either by the artist or another artist/ printmaker.

•  Signed - Grant Wood ; “Dated….” or “Inscribed Grant Wood ” Then in their opinion the work has been signed/dated/or inscribed by that specific artist. The addition of a question mark ? however, indicates a strong element of doubt.

•  When the term 'Bears signature', is used or the name, Grant Wood is specified followed by the words; "With signature ….”, or “With date ….” or “With inscription….” or “Bears signature of Grant Wood /date/or inscription” Then in 'their opinion,' either the signature / date / or inscription is spurious, forged or has been added by someone else other than the artist.
  

We can assist and advise you in all fine art related matters.

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