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

Hans Holbein the Younger

(1497/98 Germany - 1543 England)

 Were it not for the German portraitist Hans Holbein the Younger, we may never have seen the faces of Henry VIII & the Royal Court of England.

 Trained alongside his brother by their artist father and Hans' namesake, resulting in defining the pair simplistically as the Elder and Younger, Hans also ventured into painting religious works as well as mythological scenes and creating woodcuts that were used in printed texts.

 It is certainly not necessary to duplicate a biography of his life here, excepting to say that his workshop was clearly a busy factory and it estimated that in just the last 10 years of his life, Holbein executed at least 150 portraits of nobility and royalty, all with uncanny accuracy and compelling attention to detail.

 As soon as the demand start 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 European art, including the works of Hans Holbein 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 German artist; Hans Holbein the Younger (1497/98- 1543)

•  Where the name, Hans HOLBEIN (1497/98 - 1543) , is given with the first name/s and surname of the artist, usually cited as,Hans HOLBEIN (1497/98 - 1543) ,  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 Hans HOLBEIN (1497/98 - 1543) , 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 Hans HOLBEIN (1497/98 - 1543) - circle of, entourage, or “Circle of Hans HOLBEIN (1497/98 - 1543) ” 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 Hans Holbein ” or “Follower of Hans Holbein 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 Hans Holbein 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….Hans Holbein "; 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 - Hans Holbein ; “Dated….” or “Inscribed Hans Holbein ” 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, Hans Holbein is specified followed by the words; "With signature ….”, or “With date ….” or “With inscription….” or “Bears signature of Hans Holbein /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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