Art Examination & Appraisal Needed

HI... anyone know of an experienced (and preferable nationally accredited) art appraiser or historian in the area? Have a painting that some have questioned the authenticity of, and others upheld. Looks 16-17th century with significant craquelure (sp?) and some inpainting and about 912 layers of varnish. Possibly a portrait of Philip IV, or some other random Hapsburg (albeit with less of the representative chin), sort of in the manner of del Mazo.  Some old gallery markings reference him (it's not, but I should be so lucky). Some thought it a poster made to look old, (really really doubt it, though this was based on the canvas backing, which is not uncommon) and others a painting mounted on board (I think so).

Tried to research at the Frick in NYC... spent a few hours there and didn't see this come up anywhere, or even anything similar it would have been based on. Normally appraisers charge a fortune, and to some extent i need more of an art historian than an appraiser. If I know it's real I'll have it officially appraised... just want to know what it is first. Any help would be appreciated.


You may want to try the Hispanic Society of America, in New York City. It's a museum dedicated to the art of Spain, especially paintings from the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries.

Post a photo of it. I know there are several people involved in the NY art world who read MOL.

Maybe this will help:

http://www.appraisersassoc.org/PageId/1/LId/0,7/Id/7/Find-an-Appraiser.html

Hi all - thanks for the info so far. Had tried the MET but a bit of a runaround. Sotheby's was withholding judgement, Dawson & Neye said it looked good. Forget about the 4-6 week screening for Christie's... may wait for an open house but it's a pain to lug in the car to the city. I will contact the Hispanic Society of America... sounds like an interesting angle. Tried the AAA and there's a efw I regocnize there, but for the most part the two or three Ifelt out up front wanted several hundred just to look at it. That's fine if I know ultimately it's legit, then to go forward, but not at the outset. Trying to upload the pic, but getting errors...

Some problems were encountered
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Will keep trying.

Doyle Galleries in Manhattan does free, open appraisals every Monday morning. All you have to do is go with your picture. They have a website. Check it out.

lizziecat - thanks for the info... checked Doyle out... they have consignment appraisals on Fridays... will email them tomorrow with some better pics (can't seem to get one loaded here) and see what they think next steps are.

What about Lambertville - they always seem to have someone from there on Antiques roadshow.

Ten years and I still don't have a goddamned clue.


try this firm 

he is a client of ours

http://www.summitart.net/ 


ctrzaska said:

Ten years and I still don't have a goddamned clue.

Norm Scrivener of Maplewood fame is a recognized expert in coins.  He is called on in court cases to give his opinion.  He also deals in art work.  Give him a call


new207040 said:

try this firm 

he is a client of ours

http://www.summitart.net/ 

Ooh.  Thanks.


author said:
ctrzaska said:

Ten years and I still don't have a goddamned clue.

Norm Scrivener of Maplewood fame is a recognized expert in coins.  He is called on in court cases to give his opinion.  He also deals in art work.  Give him a call

Thanks.  I had spoken with him on something else in the way past, but he's basically got access to the same things I do.  the few mystery items I own are a real PIA to track down.


1) Why do you think it is a Spanish artist?

2) Do we have any Pawn Stars type places around here? Planning a trip to Vegas soon?

Good luck!


My friend Kathleen Guzman is the managing director of Heritage Auctions former president of Christies East, former president of Philips and is on Antiques Road Show.  Although this is not her specific area of expertise I'd be surprised if she couldnt help you.  And if she cant she could certainly tell you who could.

Email her at Kathleen@ha.com and say Sarah Macyshyn suggested you contact her.


Hopefully something similar will happen to you...

http://www.nj.com/essex/index.ssf/2016/05/an_exciting_discovery_a_long-lost_rembrandt_found.html 

Long-lost Rembrandt found in N.J. basement

The painting was eventually purchased by a New York financier and collector of Dutch art, Thomas Kaplan, after the bidders from Paris paid $1 million for the work. It is not known how much Kaplan paid.


Berkeley- The dress is similar to Spanish nobility in the period of 1630-40, though one could argue Dutch as well (less so from the composition).  The red bow I recall had a particular significance but I'll be damned if I can recall what it is anymore.

Sarah- Thank you!  Will do so once I can dig up more info.  May want to reserve her advice for two other Old Master works of more significance though-- one a 17th c. pencil of an unknown version of Rubens' Rape of Samson and found in a book, and the other a purported Anguissola portrait that I've lost the trail on in the 1920s.

Lanky- I heard about that.  I should be so lucky...


did you try nye auction  in Bloomfield?  They do free appraisals Monday mornings  


I did, actually... they said it looked good (likely an old canvas cut from a frame and later mounted on board) but for the life of them couldn't place it and said to head toward one of the larger houses.


Go see Rago in Lambertville.


Thanks.  Their walk-in appraisal days are Mondays it seems, which isn't going to work, but see they do make house calls.  Worth a shot.


Try to get in touch with John Nye.  He lives in SO, and used to work at Sotheby's, but I think he works on his own now.  I dont remember his specialty, but he could probably refer you.  He handled a multi million dollar sale for one of my clients.  You could also try Martha Parrish in the city.  She deals with very high end art, sold a Rockwell and several Benton Harts for my client.


ctrzaska said:

Thanks.  Their walk-in appraisal days are Mondays it seems, which isn't going to work, but see they do make house calls.  Worth a shot.

You can lure them in with a photo sent to Rago's email, but it's better to make an appointment. If they are willing to make a house call, you are off to a great start. 


I'll send them some first, as its near impossible to determine anything from a phone call, though I suspect payment for their time and the description might be enough for a visit.  Their hourly and travel fees are quite reasonable.  


campbell29 said:

Try to get in touch with John Nye.  He lives in SO, and used to work at Sotheby's, but I think he works on his own now.  I dont remember his specialty, but he could probably refer you.  He handled a multi million dollar sale for one of my clients.  You could also try Martha Parrish in the city.  She deals with very high end art, sold a Rockwell and several Benton Harts for my client.

Thanks.  Nye actually looked at two of these when he was in Maplewood some years back for a charity appraisal day at the Burgdorff... believe this was one (along with the pencil I mentioned above).  He was mystified.  

Sotheby's held the purported Anguissola (they sold it as such decades ago) for a year while they argued internally over it, but wanted $$$$ for it to head to Italy for further examination there--I passed, and she now watches us eat dinner and do homework.  I'll look up Ms. Parrish...thanks for that.


It looks like part of a larger painting and somehow modern.  Very mysterious.  Will you report back when you find out?  It would be interesting to know.


Those two shots are what I was able to get to Dave all those years back to post.  You're right, it is actually a larger portrait... will see if I can post a full-size pic later.



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