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Investigating the Authenticity of Paintings and Drawings believed to be by or Attributed to;

Sir Herbert James Gunn, R.A.

(1893-1964)

'H James Gunn'

Scottish landscape and portrait painter.

  Two painters in one, the stoic academician painting traditional Victorian portraits and the very clever impressionist, Sir Herbert James Gunn was born in Glasgow and studied art at the Glasgow School of Art. Where his talents as an artist were soon recognized and he was sent to study at the Académie Julian in Paris. He remained in Paris until 1914 when the threat of war forced him back to Britain. It was during his time in France that Gunn developed his radical approach to his compositions and his often dull and sombre palette of grey tones was used to heighten the dramatic placement of forms in his painting. As is shown well in the image below of a still life with jug, which dramatically surpassed its auction estimate at Christies London auction in, South Kensington in December 2012.

 After a successful career as a painter, Gunn was to become a member of the Royal Academy and in 1953/4 he was invited to paint Queen Elizabeth II in her Coronation robes, a picture that still hangs in the Royal Collection to this day.

 There is obviously no necessity for a full biography of the life of Herbert James Gunn here, as it has been documented extremely well by other writers, with the exception that almost inevitably, he was imitated. As any attempt at claiming a work is by someone by adding a signature is clearly an attempt at deception, due to the vastly increasing values of his works of art over the years and the quantity of works of art he produced in his lifetime, today, all manner of paintings claiming to be his, either deliberately faked, or more commonly, misrepresented or misattributed to this hand, sometimes wrongly attributed many years ago, be that mistakenly or deliberately, they do appear on the open art market.

 It may well be true that there are some works that were either lost, mislaid, or have been with families across the world for aeons and have never surfaced, still yet to be documented. But it must be said, some of the Herbert James Gunn works that do appear on the open market will need seriously investigating to be absolutely certain of both their legitimacy or a previously given attribution.

 Falsified works are effected simply by the inclusion of a copied signature or a monogram placed on a work of art that is just a similar or of type, or style, or the same subject matter to that of Gunn would have painted. A previous signature which has been deleted from an old painting with a new one added is common. It is no wonder that question marks can and sometimes do arise about the authenticity of some of his paintings and confusion as to whether they were just from his studio, by pupils or from his circle arise.

* * *

 We are international fine art consultants, specialising in conducting full 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 over 45 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 fine works of Sir Herbert James Gunn, his circle and followers, or any paintings or works of art that you are unsure about.

 Some examples of Gunns' works and those signed with that name, appear below.  No inference or question is made as to their authenticity, moreover they are a representational view of the types of works offered for sale at auction internationally some of which will need to be understood and sometimes specifically qualified and authenticated.

Sir Herbert James Gunn, R.A. (1893-1964) Grand bassin, Le Jardin des Tuileries, Paris signed

'H J Gunn' and inscribed 'Grand Bassin/Jardin Tuileries/Darling Kiki with love Jimmy and Pauline' (on the reverse) oil on canvas-board

£65,725.00 US $122,218.00

Sir Herbert James Gunn, R.A. 1893-1964

ST. IVES signed H.James Gunn. oil on canvas

£27,500.00   US $46,315.00

SIR HERBERT JAMES GUNN RA PRP RSW (1893-1964) Zinnias signed ‘H James Gunn’ oil on canvas Estimate: £2,000 - £3,000

Herbert James Gunn, R.A., P.R.P., N.S. (1893-1964) Still life signed and dated 'Herbert Gunn 15' and inscribed 'to W B Paterson.' oil on board Estimate GBP 2,000 - GBP 3,000.

Sold GBP £21,250.00

  Both the duration and direction of any attribution or investigation of the authenticity of an art work 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: 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 given artist.

Directing detailed and complicated inquiries 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 and 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, quality and condition reports.

Step one in the Art Authentication and Attribution process.

Herbert James Gunn

The Pre-Authentication Assessment.

    Before you begin any art authenticity, legitimacy, or any artist attribution investigation, it is more than wise to have an impartial preliminary assessment of the viability of the project conducted first. Made to independently and rationally balance any negative issues there may be against the positive elements. Treat this study as your safety net.

 We will be happy to professionally undertake this for you, based upon good quality images that you supply and all the known facts regarding its acquisition, the history and provenance of the work of art as is known to you.

You will then have a far better understanding of the prospects and pitfalls that could lie ahead.

See our FAQ's for details of the process

CONTACT US

We will respond to you promptly.

  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

Sir Herbert James Gunn R.A.

  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 Sir Herbert James Gunn.

 Where the name,  Sir Herbert James Gunn is given with the first name/s and surname of the artist, usually as Sir Herbert James Gunn , then in their professional opinion they are in no doubt, it is the genuine and authentic item, one painted by the artist himself,

Herbert James Gunn.

When Attributed to Sir Herbert James Gunn, or Sir Herbert James Gunn is similarly written or used as ascribed to or Attrib, [abbreviated], 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 Sir Herbert James Gunn ; “School of, or Studio of ….” or “Workshop of Herbert James Gunn " or atelier of Herbert James Gunn " is used, this means that in their opinion it is a work executed in the studio of the artist. Possibly by an apprentice or a pupil under the principal artists supervision and guidance.

 But if the term Herbert James Gunn circle of, or “Circle of Herbert James Gunn ” is specifically used, then in their opinion, it is a work only 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 is given; Painted in the “Style of Herbert James Gunn ” or “Follower of Herbert James Gunn is used, this means that in their opinion it is a work of art executed only in the artist’s way, his '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 Herbert James Gunn is used or is defined….” then in their opinion it's also only 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….Herbert James Gunn "; 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 himself or another artist/ printmaker.

Signed Herbert James Gunn ; “Dated….” or “Inscribed Herbert James Gunn ” 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, Herbert James Gunn is specified followed by the words; "With signature ….”, or “With date ….” or “With inscription….” or “Bears signature /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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