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

Gerrit van Honthorst & Workshop

Gerard van Honthorst

(UTRECHT (1590 – 1656)

Dutch Golden Age Painter of Religious art, fine portraits and Genre painting.

 At least 25 students and apprentices trained and worked under the wing of this astoundingly talented and famous artist who ran an exceptionally busy workshop. Such was his fame and demand for his fine light filled Caravaggisti works.  Honthorst subsequently had many important patrons, including aristocratic collectors throughout Europe, King Christian IV of Denmark and Charles I and the court of England.

 I shall not repeat a biography of his life here as it is unnecessary, however, there has been a consistent rise in the values of his quality works over time and he is a sought after artist whose rare works often well surpass their auction estimates rising considerably into the millions of Euros.

 But with all fine art, it is vitally important is to be able to distinguish between works that were actually executed by an artist, from those 'claiming' to be by that artist, against those that we are told were created by the artist.

Because there are many unsigned and unrecorded works appearing from out of the mists of time, any of which can be presented with a definitive attribution to an artist, workshop or school, but one must be seriously cautious and always determine if the attribution itself is correct and that it can be fully substantiated? Many claims cannot.

 Turning an otherwise anonymous and similar work of art of the period or near period, convincingly into one 'by' the artist you want to portray it to be by, is as quite simple as it is   commonplace. Frankly it's the most consistent type of attempted fraud we see, effected by adding a forged signature, monogram or inscription to it. Next in line for criticism, are the deliberately misleading attribution claims. Ones that are either poor uneducated guesses, or conscious attempts at deception because so much money is involved. So there are always lots of questions that need to be answered;

 1/ Is a newly discovered work of art purportedly by Gerrit van Honthorst a legitimate example of the artists œuvre and 2/ is an already applied attribution to the artist both appropriate and correct and 3/ on what scholarly basis was it made?

Frankly a brass plaque or painted name on the frame is hardly a viable reason for us to believe in the attribution. Neither is the fact that the work is attributed because its a similarly subjective picture painted by an otherwise anonymous hand. Quality counts.

So from whom and by what level of qualification did an attribution actually come and is the description of the work of art being presented for sale actually reliable and sound?

 The generally accepted terminology used in descriptions of a work of art presented at auction, are laid out in greater detail later on this page. But it is worth remembering that with each specific variation of its semantics and wording, there is always a distinct difference with the possible final value of the piece.

In any of these respects we can certainly help you.

 We are able to assist and advise you in all fine art related matters, particularly issues of the authenticity and attributions of Dutch and European fine art, including the works of Gerrit van Honthorst, his direct circle and any other work of art that you need assistance or advice with.

Some examples associated with his name appear below as comparative illustrations.

*No inference is made, nor is it intended as to the question of legitimacy of these here. Moreover they are an across the board, representational view of the differing types of works of art that have, are, or may in the future be offered and advertised for sale at auction internationally in the public domain that you may 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. These include:

• 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

 We strongly advise clients before embarking on a full investigation of legitimacy or an artist or studio attribution inquiry, that it is always 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:

FAQs

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ABOUT A WORK OF ARTS DESCRIPTOR AND ITS TERMINOLOGY

  *It is very important to clearly understand the auction terms that are widely 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 an applied signature' or monogram. In this case as if they were defining the creations of the artist;   Gerrit van Honthorst (UTRECHT (1590 – 1656) Flemish

•  Where the name, Gerrit van Honthorst (1590 - 1656) is given with the first name/s and surname of the artist, usually cited as, Gerrit van Honthorst .   including the 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 specific 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 that artist.

•  When Gerrit van Honthorst (1590 - 1656) is the term used, or it is similarly defined as Attrib. to ' [abbreviated,] or Attribue, 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 Gerrit van Honthorst (1590 - 1656) - circle of, entourage, or “Circle of ” Gerrit van Honthorst . 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 or “Follower of Gerrit van Honthorst (1590 - 1656) is used, this means that in their opinion it is a work of art executed only in the artist’s way, in 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 of Gerrit van Honthorst 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…. Gerrit van Honthorst "; 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 - Gerrit van Honthorst ; “Dated….” or “Inscribed ” 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, Gerrit van Honthorst is specified followed by the words; "With signature ….”, or “With date ….” or “With ......inscription….” or “Bears signature of Gerrit van Honthorst . / 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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