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

Martin van Meytens the Younger & Workshop

(STOCKHOLM 1695 - 1770 VIENNA)

B Sweden - Dutch

  The court painter to Empress Maria Theresia, Queen of Hungary and Bohemia and the official portraitist of the imperial family, brought him much success and commissions from nobility and social elite across Europe. His individual style was characterised by the use of intense colours and his highly decorative and detailed rendering of the elaborate garments that his sitters were portrayed in with precisely drawn features in his portraiture.

 Meytens subsequently ran a busy and highly specialized studio, barely able to keep up with demand, with many assistants and highly talented apprentices, including Sophonias de Derichs (1712–1773) and Joseph Hickel (1736–1807) who undertook their collaborations with their mentor in an almost identical style, almost impossible to detect.

He was also a shrewd and multi lingual businessman, owning a factory producing and developing pigments used in painting.

  Today he is yet another artist whose sought after and rare works of art, can often well outstrip their auction estimates. But when any artists works, or those of his immediate circle of influence, rise in value and are consistently high, there is potentially an almost inevitable result.

  Many works can appear out of the mist of time which need to be validated as authentic, that are both signed and unsigned. Any of which can be presented with a definitive and attractive attribution to an artist at point of sale, an auction for instance. So you must be seriously cautious that when they do appear, to determine if the attribution itself is correct and that it can be fully substantiated? Sadly, many such claims cannot be and are patently incorrect.

 Historically some individuals with nefarious intent, have turned an otherwise anonymous, yet similar work of art, one of an age near to the period of the artist, yet painted only by a follower working in their style, into one that is now 'by' that artist they want it to be by. The is effected, convincingly so by adding a signature or monogram, as simple as it is commonplace. Frankly it's clearly the most consistent form of attempted fraud we see. Though as Meytens Meytens hardly ever signed his works, perhaps a foolish mistake to make.

 Next in line for scrutiny and usually criticism, are deliberately misleading attribution claims. Ones that are either poor uneducated guesses, or conscious attempts at deception. So there are always questions that need to be addressed.

 The generally accepted terms used in descriptions of a work of art presented at auction, are set out in much greater detail later on this page. But it is worth remembering that with each specific variation of its 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.

***

 As an international specialist fine art consultancy, based in Europe and the UK in order to undertake all our European Modern and Old Master fine art investigations and research work archivally and multilingually, we have been confidentially serving both private individuals and corporate clients from all over the world now for well over 45 years.

In so doing, we have investigated both single works of art and complete collections for clients. Conducted in-depth authentication and legitimacy investigations and directed full academic and forensic applications. Researching the origins of works of art, from different geographical regions, genres and eras. We also scrutinize and conduct research to verify the provenance and ownership lineage as a matter of due diligence.

 We are able to assist and advise you in all fine art related matters, particularly issues of the authenticity and attributions of Dutch and International fine art, including the works of Martin Meytens, 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 expert 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.

FAQs

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ABOUT A WORK OF ARTS DESCRIPTOR AND ITS TERMINOLOGY

  *It is very important to clearly understand the general auction terms that are widely used in a 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 works of the artist; Martin van Meytens the Younger (STOCKHOLM 1695 - 1770 VIENNA)

•  Where the name, Martin Meytens (1695-1770) is given with the first name/s and surname of the artist, usually cited as, Martin Meytens .   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 Martin Meytens (1695-1770) 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 Martin Meytens (1695-1770) - circle of, entourage, or “Circle of ” Martin Meytens . 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 Martin Meytens (1695-1770) 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 Martin Meytens 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…. Martin Meytens "; 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 - Martin Meytens ; “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, Martin Meytens is specified followed by the words; "With signature ….”, or “With date ….” or “With ......inscription….” or “Bears signature of Martin Meytens . / 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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