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

Jan Lievens the Elder & Workshop

Jan Lievens der Ältere

AKA Lievens de Oude, Livius Johanis le Vieux, or Johannis Livens

(Leiden 1607-1674 Amsterdam)

École hollandaise

 By the time he was eight years old, Jan Leivens career was already mapped out for him. It had been believed that even then, he was training under the wing of Pieter Lastman in Amsterdam, an important artist who was also nurturing Rembrandt at that time.

Though others disagree, having suggesting that he gathered his skills that were already imparted to his friend and rival Rembrandt van Rijn, who he was to share a studio with for five years, from what Rembrandt himself had actually learned from Lastman.

One thing we can agree on is, so close was their ability and style that many 'believed to be' Rembrandt paintings were misattributed and are actually the hand of Jan Lievens.

 History tells us that the two finally went their separate ways and Lievens was painting portraits for the Royal court of England, impressed by van Dyke, only returning to his homeland in 1644.

 During his lifetime Lievens painted a wide variety of works that included; character studies, genre scenes, landscapes, formal portraits and religious and allegorical images, all of which were widely praised and highly valued during his lifetime.

In fact, the Catalogue Raissone documents 245 known works including; 135 paintings, 37 drawings, and 73 etchings that were produced by Lievens in Leiden, his most prolific and successful period.

 Forgotten and falling into near obscurity over the next two centuries, his position in art history is now rightfully realigned.

 Many complications can arise when stylised works of the same or near period emerge. Sometimes they are unsigned and otherwise anonymous works which are attributed to a hand, or that of a workshop, This done so stylistically and usually with good academic soundness.

However, there are others less well considered, with some attributors using guess work and others, misattributing a work of art intentionally for a singular purpose, deception.

 Other contenders similar to an artists hand may be described as a contribution made by someone close to the artist and from within their circle of influence. But there are also those that are created by an artists followers. These are simply artists working in a similar style and using comparable subject matter or technique to the artist they admire. And this artist was greatly admired, in demand and subsequently emulated.

 Jan Lievens works of art are well sought after today and as they increase in value and as legitimate examples of his oeuvres become more and more rare, it is vitally important to be able to distinguish between those pieces that were actually executed by the artist, compared to those either 'claiming' to be by him. Perhaps a work bearing a false signature or an easily applied monogram, or it is a work that we are told was created by the artist as an attribution, which is in reality only an opinion. And of course, to be able to identify and differentiate between those works of art that are authentic examples and those that are illegitimate, even if they are small scale drawings or studies.

 So the question will remain, is a newly discovered work of art authentic and is an already applied attribution to the artist, or the description of a work of art itself, reliable and sound?  In any of those respects we can certainly help.

 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 Old  Master fine art, including the works of Jan Lievens, his workshop and circle and any 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 Dutch artist; Jan Lievens (1607-1674)

•  Where the name, Jan Lievens (1607-1674) , is given with the first name/s and surname of the artist, usually cited as,Jan Lievens (1844-1916) ,  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 Jan Lievens (1607-1674) , 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 Jan Lievens (1607-1674) - circle of, entourage, or “Circle of Jan Lievens (1607-1674) ” 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 Jan Lievens ” or “Follower of Jan Lievens 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 Jan Lievens 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….Jan Lievens "; 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 - Jan Lievens ; “Dated….” or “Inscribed Jan Lievens ” 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, Jan Lievens is specified followed by the words; "With signature ….”, or “With date ….” or “With inscription….” or “Bears signature of Jan Lievens /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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