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Investigating the Authenticity and Attribution of works of art believed to be by

Francisco de Zurbarán & his Studio

(Fuente de Cantos, Badajoz, 1598 - Madrid, 1664)

Spanish

  After Velázquez, he was the greatest painter of the Golden Age in Spain, known primarily for his religious paintings depicting monks, nuns and martyrs, apostles, saints, and madonnas and still-lifes.

 In recent years an increasing number of important works aligned to his name and certainly that of the studio, have been presented at auctions across the world at not surprisingly exceptionally high prices. So as the values of works of art created by him continue to escalate, there is also a greater need for caution and confirmation of their legitimacy, or to establish the correctness of an attribution, or a given descriptor of one being offered for sale.

 It is fair to say that major works of great quality as he created are well catalogued and are most unlikely to surface, but that does not follow for any lesser works of art that may suddenly appear from out of the mists of time.

But there must be many works that have been mistakenly attributed to him or his studio and some deliberately so. Then there are others that originated from his workshop, likely by the hands of his students and apprentices, including his principle students Bernabé de Ayala and the Polanco brothers, Andrés López Polanco, who was specializing in portraits and Jeronimo Lopez Polancoor. There was also Juan Martinez de Gradillas and still lives emanating from his son Juan de Zurbarán.

* * *

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

 We can assist and advise you in all fine art related matters, particularly issues of authenticity and attribution, including the works of

Zurbarán, his circle, his workshop, or followers, or any works of art that you are unsure about.

Some example works of art 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.

Francisco de Zurbarán Workshop (Fuente de Cantos, Badajoz, 1598 - Madrid, 1664)

"Saint Theresa of Avila"

Estimate: €30,000 - €40,000

School of Seville, 17th C. Follower of
Francisco de Zurbarán. Boy with Thorn
Oil on canvas Estimate: €2,500

   The duration and the direction of any authenticity investigation or 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 attribution study, that it is wise to have an impartial preliminary assessment conducted first. One made to consider and balance any issues that may be present that could make the longer term exercise unviable.

This is a professional advisory service we offer, 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 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 A WORK OF ART DESCRIPTOR AND TERMINOLOGY

  *It is important to very 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 Spanish artist Francisco de Zurbarán and his studio.

•  Where the name, Francisco de Zurbarán is given with the first name/s and surname of the artist, usually cited as Francisco de Zurbarán, 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 Attributed to Francisco de Zurbarán is 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 him..

•  But if the term Francisco de Zurbarán- circle of, entourage, or “Circle of Francisco de Zurbarán” 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 Francisco de Zurbarán” or “Follower of Francisco de Zurbarán 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 of Francisco de Zurbarán 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….Francisco de Zurbarán"; 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 - Francisco de Zurbarán; “Dated….” or “Inscribed Francisco de Zurbarán” 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, Francisco de Zurbarán is specified followed by the words; "With signature ….”, or “With date ….” or “With inscription….” or “Bears signature of Francisco de Zurbarán/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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