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

Jean-Antoine Watteau

Antoine Watteau

(Valenciennes 1684-1721 Nogent-sur-Marne)

French

  Antoine Watteau was hugely important as an artist as he set the agenda for the development of art in 18th-century France.

 His small Fête Galante cabinet paintings often featured Commedia dell'Arte characters. Usually amorous figures wearing aristocratic and theatrical dress. Pictured involved in any form of escapade, be it dancing, playing instruments or simply sitting or walking and typically set within some form of lush and imaginary landscape. Though he also ventured into painting Commedia dell'Arte or Italian comedy, exploring famous characters such as Pierrot, Columbine and the Harlequin too.

  A recently rediscovered masterpiece ( illustrated below) painted by Jean-Antoine Watteau (1684-1721) sold at Christie’s auction of Important Old Master and British Pictures for £12,361,250.00. A world record price for any French Old Master painting sold at auction.
La Surprise had been missing for almost 200 years, presumed to have been destroyed and was previously known only by a copy in the Royal Collection at Buckingham Palace and through a contemporary engraving. It was found in the corner of a drawing room in a British country house during a Christie’s valuation last year.

 Academic paintings of high quality were in high demand in both France and throughout Europe at this time and thus with it, came his success as an artist. But he was fashionable and venerated for his style and as a result was very much imitated and copied by others.

Although it is unlikely that such a masterpiece will surface again by his hand from within the mists of time, perhaps more minor ones, including studies and sketches possibly could. So it is important to be able to distinguish between those works actually executed by him, compared to those 'claiming' to be by him, as there are also those replicated or repeated works by others and even more to balance in the equation. Those created by artists from within his direct circle are common. Put that issue alongside works simply painted by his followers, [artists who produced similarly themed paintings in his own very successful manner and which of course, could have been painted at any time after him] and it can become confusing.

* * *

 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 investigations and 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 Jean-Antoine Watteau , his circle, studio, 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 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.

Fine Art Authentication

   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.

CONTACT

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.

A WORK OF ART DESCRIPTOR AND ITS 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; Antoine Watteau (Valenciennes 1684-1721 Nogent-sur-Marne) and his school & studio.

•  Where the name, Antoine Watteau (Valenciennes 1684-1721 Nogent-sur-Marne) is given with the first name/s and surname of the artist, usually cited as, Antoine Watteau (Valenciennes 1684-1721 Nogent-sur-Marne) 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 Antoine Watteau (Valenciennes 1684-1721 Nogent-sur-Marne)  is the term used, or it is similarly defined as r '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 Jean-Antoine Watteau - circle of, entourage, or “Circle of Jean-Antoine Watteau ” 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 Jean-Antoine Watteau ” or “Follower of Jean-Antoine Watteau 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 Jean-Antoine Watteau 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….Jean-Antoine Watteau "; 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 - Jean-Antoine Watteau ; “Dated….” or “Inscribed Jean-Antoine Watteau ” 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, Jean-Antoine Watteau is specified followed by the words; "With signature ….”, or “With date ….” or “With inscription….” or “Bears signature of Jean-Antoine Watteau /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

OTHER SITE LINKS

BEYOND WILDENSTEIN - THE  GAUGUIN INDEX

1871-1884 | 1885- 1888 |  1889 - 1890 | 1891 - 1893 | 1894 - 1896 | 1897 - 1899 | 1900 - 1903

TERMES ET CONDITIONS

CURRENT INVESTIGATIONS

ENQUÊTES ACTUELLES

LISTE DES CLIENTS D'ENTREPRISE