Investigating the Authenticity and Attributions of works of art believed to be by;

Willem Claesz. Heda

(Willem Claeszoon Heda)

(Haarlem 1594-1680)

Dutch

 The Dutch born artist Willem Claeszoon Heda which is usually shortened to Willem Claesz. Heda, lived in Haarlem in the Netherlands all his life and little is known of him, except that he did some figurative works in the early part of his career and then focused exclusively on still life later, usually painted on wooden panels.

 In the early part of the 1600's, more monochromatic works were very popular and he was considered a master at creating works of this kind, using far less colour than his counterparts and mastering the technique of illuminating glass and goblets and in metals, such as silver and tin.With a total output of only about 70 works to his name, Heda was one of the most famous still life artists of his time.

 Academic paintings of high quality were in high demand in Europe and thus came his success as an artist. But he was very much imitated and copied. Although it is very highly unlikely that such a masterpiece will surface as a previously unknown work of his hand from the mists of time, as they are very well recorded. Perhaps more minor ones, including studies and sketches could.

 It is important however, to be able to diistinguish between those works actually executed by an artist, against those 'claiming' to be by him, or that we are told are by him. There are previous attributions and misattributions to contend with and also replicated or repeated works made by others, such as pupils. Or those paintings created by artists from within the artists direct circle. Put alongside the works of art simply painted by followers, artists who produced similarly themed paintings in the artists own manner, which could have been painted at any time after him and it can get complicated.

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 As an international specialist fine art consultancy, with bases in the UK and Europe, 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 for clients, and conducting in-depth authentication and legitimacy inquiries, full academic and forensic investigations and multilingual archival research into the origins of all old master works of art from different geographical regions and periods. We also scrutinize and research the provenance and ownership lineage.

 We are able to assist and advise you in all fine art related matters, particularly issues of authenticity and attribution, including the works of Willem Claesz. Heda, his circle, workshop, or those of his followers, or any works of art that you are keen to learn about.

 Some various example works of art associated with this name appear below as illustrations. 

Note: No inference is made, nor is it intended as to the question of legitimacy. Moreover these 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.

Fine Art Authentication Investigation

  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 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.

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 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.

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.

A WORK OF ART 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; Willem Claesz. Heda (Haarlem 1594-1680) and his school & workshop.

•  Where the name, Willem Claesz. Heda (Haarlem 1594-1680), is given with the first name/s and surname of the artist, usually cited as,Willem Claesz. Heda (Haarlem 1594-1680), 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. '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 Willem Claesz. Heda - circle of, entourage, or “Circle of Willem Claesz. Heda” 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 Willem Claesz. Heda” or “Follower of Willem Claesz. Heda 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 Willem Claesz. Heda 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….Willem Claesz. Heda"; 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 - Willem Claesz. Heda; “Dated….” or “Inscribed Willem Claesz. Heda” 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, Willem Claesz. Heda is specified followed by the words; "With signature ….”, or “With date ….” or “With inscription….” or “Bears signature of Willem Claesz. Heda/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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