Investigation of the Authenticity of Folk Art & Portrait Paintings and other Works of Art believed to be by or Attributed to;

WILLIAM  MATTHEW  PRIOR (1806-1873)

American

 William Prior was an American folk artist from Bath in Maine.
  He is known to have painted many notable sitters such as George Washington, copied from Gilbert Stuart's Athenaeum portrait and unusually his work displays some academic compositions too, but many of his better known works are simply naive portraits.
 

 Prior prepared his own canvases, ground his own paints and with the help of his sons, made some of his own frames.

  Inevitably, as his works fetch condiderable sums at auction, he is often misattributed, mistakenly and sad to say, deliberately by sellers. Though his work is very clearly distinctive in its own way in the field of American Folk Art, his works are often faked.

 Freemanart are Academic Fine art Consultants, who specialise in conducting fully international investigations into the authenticity of works of art created by artists in all categories, all regions and from historical eras, alongside scrutinizing their provenance.

 Confidentially serving both private individuals and corporate clients from around the world for well over 46 years, we can assist and advise you in all fine art related matters, particularly issues of authenticity, legitimacy and the attribution of old and modern master works of art. Including the paintings and works of William Prior, his circle, or any paintings or works of art that you are unsure about.

 Various examples of legitimate William Matthew Prior works and those connected with that name by their signature etc, appear below.

 No inference or question is made as to their authenticity, moreover they are a representational view of the types of works that are or have been offered for sale at auction internationally that need to be understood and sometimes qualified....

Authentication Investigations

  As both the duration and direction of any attribution or investigation of authenticity will always vary from project to project, but there are clear and well defined professional formalities, responsibilities and areas of scrutiny that we can assist you with, including:

• Authentication: Authentification: Conducting and directing comprehensive investigations and in depth research, with a view to establishing a correct, complete and formally recognized certification of a work of art. One that is absolutely upheld by the appropriate, legally acknowledged and internationally sanctioned authority, body or expert on that artist. Directing detailed and complicated enquiries with multilingual, international academic research and any 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 doubted.
  

•  Confirmation:  Undertaking research and investigations into the legitimacy of the provenance, history and prior ownership of a work of art and establishing its own accuracy.
  

•  Scrutiny: Examen minutieux: Identifying fake works of art and forgeries, including any false supportive accompanying documentation and determining works of art which may be studio or later copies, or previous incorrect attributions.
  
  

•  Prosecution: Poursuite: Investigating alleged art fraud and forgery and assisting and advising those who are, or may be considering litigating or prosecuting the fact. This includes legal professionals, corporate and private clients.
  
  

•  Attention:  Conducting all fine art related due diligence and duty of care enquiries. Including safe pre-purchase or sale related audits and assisting clients in consolidating a well balanced future family distribution.
  
  

•  Appraisal: Évaluation - Valuations, quality and condition reports.

Step one in the art authentication and attribution process.

William Prior

The Pre-Authentication Assessment.

 If you are seriously considering having a painting or work of art authenticated that you believe may be by William Prior, we strongly advise all prospective clients, that before moving on into a full investigation of legitimacy, or seeking a confirmation of an attribution to his hand, that a fully impartial, preliminary assessment of the viability of doing so is conducted by us first.
This is much the same as a lawyer would assess and balance the prospects of the success of a legal case for you, but well before presenting it in a court of law.
This important first step in the process, is a comprehensive study and one made to address all of the positive aspects that would justify continuing with an investigation and setting them against any obvious issues or observations there may be. Ones that could impede, or make any future investigation either unwise or totally impractical to undertake.

This is a professional advisory service and one that we offer to all our clients.

  A preliminary assessment of viability can be undertaken very effectively, based on the best quality images that you supply and the full details of work of art in question. Along with the specific details of its acquisition which is very important. We will also address the particulars of its provenance as is known to you, alongside scrutinising any documentation, previous research or analysis that you may have had formerly conducted.

 Having chosen to take this sensible, tried and tested route, you should then have a far clearer understanding of the prospects of success in your case, as well as recognising any pitfalls that you may face right up front.  Simply put, view it as a safety net before you move on.

 This is a totally logical and cost effective professional assessment for which there is a modest set fee.

*Please see our FAQ section by clicking the link below which explains this process in far greater detail.

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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 PAINTING DESCRIPTORS AND TERMINOLOGY

  It is important to understand the auction terms used in any published descriptor and to be cautious of works that may just be painted in the style or manner of the artist, or even the stylized - would be copies of his works which happen to bear a signature or monogram. In this case the paintings and drawings of William Prior

 Where the name, William Prioris given with the first name/s and surname of the artist, usually William Prior, then in their professional opinion it is the genuine and authentic item, one painted by the artist himself, William Prior

 When Attributed to William Matthew Prior is used, then in their opinion it is 'probably' a work by the artist, at least in part. But there is no guarantee. It's only an opinion.

 When William Prior; “Studio of ….” or “Workshop of William Prior "atelier" is used, this means that in their opinion it is a work executed in the studio of the artist. Possibly by an apprentice or even a pupil under the principal artists supervision.

 But if the term William Prior or “Circle of William Prior” is used, then in their opinion, it is a work of the period of the artist and showing his influence, or closely associated with the artist, BUT not necessarily by his pupil or student.

 When the name William Prioris given; or Painted in the “ William Prior or “Follower of William Prior is used, this means that in their opinion it is a work of art executed only in the artist’s 'style', but not necessarily by a pupil. But it may be contemporary, or nearly contemporary of the artist.

 If the phrase in the “Manner of William Prior, is used it is defined….” Then in their opinion it's a work painted in the style of the artist but of a later date and definitely not by the artist himself.

 When the term “After….” William Prior; is the term, 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..

William Prior; “Signed…”, “Dated….” or “Inscribed William Matthew Prior” 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 William Prior is used followed by the words; "With signature ….”, or “With date ….” or “With inscription….” or “Bears signature Wiliam Prior /date/or inscription” Then in their opinion, 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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