Investigating the Authenticity of Works of art believed to be by or attributed to

Alexander Nasmyth HRSA RBA

(Edinburgh 9 September 1758 – 10 April 1840)

Sometime signed Naismyth

 Alexander Nasmyth was a Scottish portrait and landscape painter, pupil of Allan Ramsay, known as the English Hobbema and regarded as the father of Scottish landscape painting.

 In recent years an increasing number of works associated with the name of Alexander Nasmyth have been sold at major auctions across the world and at spectacular prices. Particularly landscapes. So as the values of works of art created by him continue to escalate, there is also a greater need for caution and for confirmation of their legitimacy and to establish correctness of attribution or descriptor.

 It is fair to say that major works of great quality are well catalogued and even though he was exceptionally prolific,are most unlikely to surface, fresh to the market, but that does not follow for any lesser works of art that could appear from the mists of time.

There may also be works mistakenly attributed to him that came from his workshop or by students. Studies, sketches, drawings and early works claiming to be by him are more likely and there are always those far lesser works that suddenly overnight magically bear his name.

 This is the simplest of ploys adopted by those intent on deception, find a vaguely similar, preferably anonymous painting, one executed in a similar style to that of the artist, but created by one of his many followers, or even a student of the arts attempting to create a painting that is similar to his.  Add to it, a copied signature or monogram, perhaps apply a forged attelier or auction house stamp, or press home with a new and persuasive inscription, or stick a gallery label on the back and the fraud is near complete. At least on the face of it.

This is the most common form of forgery that we see. Though there are undoubtedly other, much more 'talented' artists who deliberately forge works of art by others for financial gain and have done so for centuries.

Unfortunately, forgery also sometimes also applies to faked provenance, certainly documentation and COA's.

 So works will require both a comprehensive and thorough investigation of their backgrounds and their authenticity to confirm that any previously given attribution is correct and that a description of a work of art seemingly by Alexander Nasmyth can truly be relied upon.

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 As an international specialist fine art consultancy, based in the UK , we have been confidentially serving both private individuals and corporate clients around the world for over 45 years.

Investigating both single works of art and complete collections, conducting in-depth legitimacy inquiries, full academic and forensic investigations and multilingual archival research into the origins of all old and modern master works of art from different geographical regions and periods. We also scrutinize and research their provenance and lineage.

 We can assist and advise you in all fine art related matters, particularly issues of authenticity and attribution, including the works of Alexander Nasmyth, his circle, studio, or followers, or any works of art that you are unsure about.

Some example works of art appear below as illustrations.

Note: No inference is made nor is it intended as to the question of their legitimacy. Moreover they are an across the board representational view of the differing types of works that are and may be offered and advertised for sale at auction internationally.

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Circle of Alexander Nasmyth [1758-1840] An extensive upland landscape with a river, village, lake and ruin,  oil on canvas
Estimate: £200 - £300

Fine Art Authentication

The duration and the direction of any authenticity investigation or 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 expert on that given 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 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 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 a well balanced future family distribution.

•  Appraisal: Évaluation - Valuations and condition reports.

Alexander Nasmyth : 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 attribution study, that it is wise to have an impartial preliminary assessment conducted first.

One made to consider and balance any issues that may be present that could make the longer term exercise unviable.

This is a professional advisory service we offer, 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.

You should then have a far better understanding of both the prospects or any pitfalls we may face, before making a decision. This is a logical and cost effective professional review for which there is a modest set fee.

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  Avant d'entreprendre une enquête sur l'authenticité d'une œuvre d'art ou l'attribution d'un artiste, il est plus que prudent de procéder à une évaluation impartiale de sa faisabilité. Ceci est fait pour équilibrer indépendamment tous les problèmes négatifs qui peuvent exister contre le positif.

Nous serons heureux d'entreprendre cette étude d'une manière professionnelle pour vous que nous considérons comme votre principal filet de sécurité.
Il sera basé sur les images que vous fournissez et tous les faits connus concernant votre acquisition, son passé et la provenance de l'œuvre telle que vous la connaissez.
Vous aurez alors une meilleure compréhension des perspectives et des difficultés éventuelles à venir, avant de prendre une décision.

  Antes de embarcarse en cualquier investigación de autenticidad artística o atribución de artista, es más que prudente realizar primero una evaluación imparcial de su viabilidad. Esto se hace para equilibrar independientemente cualquier problema negativo que pueda haber contra el positivo.

Nos complace emprender profesionalmente ese estudio para usted, que consideramos su red de seguridad. Se basará en las imágenes que usted suministre y todos los hechos conocidos con respecto a su adquisición, historia pasada y procedencia del trabajo tal como lo conoce.

Entonces tendrá una mejor comprensión.

ABOUT A WORK OF ART DESCRIPTOR AND ITS TERMINOLOGY

  *It is important to very clearly understand the auction terms that are 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 Scottish artist Alexander Nasmyth .

•  Where the name, Alexander Nasmyth is given with the first name/s and surname of the artist, usually cited as Alexander Nasmyth 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 the appropriate and internationally recognized expert authority on the artist.

•  When Attributed to Alexander Nasmyth is used, or it is similarly defined as 'ascribed to' or '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 him..

•  But if the term Alexander Nasmyth - circle of, or “Circle of Alexander Nasmyth ” 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 Alexander Nasmyth ” or “Follower of Alexander Nasmyth 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 of Alexander Nasmyth 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….Alexander Nasmyth "; 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 - Alexander Nasmyth ; “Dated….” or “Inscribed Alexander Nasmyth ” 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, Alexander Nasmyth is specified followed by the words; "With signature ….”, or “With date ….” or “With inscription….” or “Bears signature of Alexander Nasmyth /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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