EXPERT   INTERNATIONAL   FINE   ART   AUTHENTICATION  INVESTIGATORS - ARTIST   ATTRIBUTION & LEGITIMACY  INVESTIGATIONS

SPECIALIST  FINE  ART  RESEARCHERS - PROVENANCE  VERIFICATION   SERVICES - FORGERY   DETECTION

DUE  DILIGENCE   SCRUTINY   -   ACQUISITION   AND   FINE  ART  ASSET  MANAGEMENT

ESPERTI INTERNAZIONALI INDAGINI SULL'AUTENTICAZIONE DELL'ARTE FINE - ATTRIBUZIONE DELL'ARTISTA E RICHIESTE DI LEGITTIMITÀ

RICERCATORI SPECIALI DELL'ARTE FINE - SERVIZI DI VERIFICA DELLA PROVENIENZA - RILEVAMENTO DI FALSI E FORGERIA

DUE DILIGENCE SCRUTINY - ACQUISIZIONE E GESTIONE DEL PATRIMONIO FINE ART

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

Konstantin Andreevich Somov

Konstantin Somov

Константин Андреевич Сомов

(b St Petersburg, 1 Dec 1869; d Paris, 6 May 1939)

 Somov built a fine reputation for himself in his early career and became well known for his illustrative fairy tale watercolours. Inspired by the likes of Watteau and Fragonard and more associated with the style of the 18th-century. Frequently he would lean on the characters, Marquise and Harlequin, which were usually painted with doll like faces and shown kissing in a park or an ornamental garden with ponds or fountains.

 Moving to Paris in his forties, he met Boris Snejkovsky who became his principal model and his whole style changed to ultra realism. Depicting lavish room settings and tables filled with perfectly crafted object d'art, with astonishing reality. His painting "Lady in a blue dress" (1897-1900) is regarded as one of the jewels of the Tretyakov gallery, the masterpiece of Russian symbolism.

 The demands are exceptionally high today for his paintings, even for the lowliest of drawings and studies. With many often vastly exceeding their auction expectations and estimates. But as works increase steeply in value and are getting more and more rare, it is important to be able to carefully distinguish between those works actually executed by an artist, compared to those either 'claiming' to be by the artist, or a work that we are told is by them and for that, you may need some help.

 Many unsigned and anonymous paintings are attributed to an artists hand stylistically, or are described as being a contribution from someone close to them from within their circle of influence. Whilst others are created entirely by an artists followers. Those working in their style and using similar subject matter. These of course can be artists of all standards and calibres, simply painting similarly in the artists manner and at any time in the past. So with this brings a risk. Is an attribution to a specific artist and a description of a work of art itself, reliable and sound?

 We are able to assist and advise you in all fine art related matters, particularly issues of the authenticity and attributions of Russian and European art, including the works of Konstantin Somov and any works of art that you need assistance and advice with.

 A few examples of works associated with his name appear below as illustrations. 

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

   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 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, or:

CONTACT US

CONTACTEZ NOUS

We will respond to you promptly.

ABOUT A WORK OF ARTS 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 the Russian artist; Konstantin Andreevich Somov (1869-1939)

•  Where the name, Konstantin Andreevich Somov (1869-1939), is given with the first name/s and surname of the artist, usually cited as, Konstantin Somov (1869-1939),  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 appropriate and internationally recognized expert authority on the artist.

•  When Konstantin Somov (1869-1939), is the term used, or it is similarly defined as 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 the artist.

•  But if the term Konstantin Somov (1869-1939) - circle of, entourage, or “Circle of Konstantin Somov (1869-1939)” 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 Konstantin Somov ” or “Follower of Konstantin Somov 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 Konstantin Somov 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….Konstantin Somov "; 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 - Konstantin Somov ; “Dated….” or “Inscribed Konstantin Somov ” 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, Konstantin Somov is specified followed by the words; "With signature ….”, or “With date ….” or “With inscription….” or “Bears signature of Konstantin Somov /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.

SPECIALIST ART AUTHENTICATION LINKS LISTED BY ARTIST

D'AUTHENTIFICATION D'ART PAR ARTISTE

PAUL KLEE

LIENS D'AUTHENTIFICATION D'ART PAR GENRE

OLD  MASTER  ART

Art Ancien

Authentification d'art européen

ALTARPIECE &  PANEL  PAINTINGS

Retable et peintures de panneaux

IMPRESSIONIST   &  MODERN  ART

Art impressionniste et moderne

BRITISH  ART   AUTHENTICATION

Authentification d'art britannique

FRENCH  ART   AUTHENTICATION

Authentification d'art français

SCOTTISH  ART

Authentification de l'art écossais

Art hollandais et flamand

JUDAICA- JEWISH ART

Judaica - Authentification de l'art juif

IRISH ART AUTHENTICATION

Authentification d'art irlandais

AMERICAN ART AUTHENTICATION

Authentification d'art américain

RUSSIAN ART AUTHENTICATION

Authentification d'art russe

SPANISH ART

Authentification d'art espagnol

CUBAN ART

Authentification d'art cubain

Authentification d'art canadien

HUNGARIAN ART

Authentification d'art hongrois

NORDIC - SCANDINAVIAN ART

Art nordique et scandinave

ISRAELI  ART

Authentification d'art israélien

ITALIAN ART AUTHENTICATION

Authentification d'art italien

CORNISH ART

INTERNATIONAL PORTRAITURE

TERMES ET CONDITIONS

CURRENT INVESTIGATIONS

ENQUÊTES ACTUELLES

LISTE DES CLIENTS D'ENTREPRISE