AboutAndrew Evans Expertise Experienced in selling, appraising and judging authenticity of signed original prints and unique works of fine art. Concentration on Rembrandt etchings; Picasso; Miro; Durer woodcuts; Marc Chagall lithographs; Bruegel; Renoir etchings; Calder lithographs; Toulouse Lautrec lithographs; Vasarely; Warhol silk screens; Henry Moore sculptures; Edgar Degas drawings.
Understanding fine art requires one to utilize as many sources as possible. These Pablo Picasso ceramics, lithographs and etchings have several catalog sources to cite authenticity of these modern works. Rembrandt etchings are 400 year old works usually depicting historical or biblical events, and are often seen in a connoisseur's collection due to the complexity of their documentation. Every fine art collector should aspire to learn as much as possible about the artist and the piece before purchasing.
There are many free sources for all types of artists, from Old Masters like Bruegel to Contemporary Masters like Vasarely. Fine art catalogs are very expensive, but collectors can use the internet, galleries, auction houses, and especially knowledgeable private dealers to learn more about works they wish to acquire or sell. And that is why I am here: to help you learn more about the exciting world of fine art.
Question Hello,
I was wondering where I could get a letter of authenticity for my Chagall lithograph "magic Flute III" signed and numbered 19/50? Thank You, Denise
Answer Hi Denise, I believe you are looking for a Certificate of Authenticity (C0A). A COA is essentially a promise from the person who sold it to you that the piece is what they said it was when you bought it. It actually has very little bearing to the authenticity of the work. There are some laws about COAs in California and other areas.
This list of appraisers may have an appraiser/dealer who is willing to check out the piece and issue a COA for you http://www.ifaacertified.com/locate.html . The thing is that the COA puts responsibility on the issuing person or organization to back that piece, so there is really no incentive to issue a COA to a piece they have nothing to do with.
Pieces are sold all the time without COAs. The real assurance comes from comparing the piece to reputable catalog raisonnes for that artist, and having a trusted fine art dealer sell it for you.
