Investigating the Authenticity of Works of art believed to be by or attributed to

John Duncan Fergusson R.B.A.

Scottish Artist and Sculptor

(1874-1961)

  One of Scotlands most celebrated painters of the Scottish Colourists school of painting, was also one of the most important and influential artists in Britain during the first half of the 20th century. A self taught artist who travelled extensively in Morocco, Spain and France.

 A long lost painting by the artist called the Poise (illustrated below) was discovered in a French attic and sold for a record price of £638,500.00 GBP. eight times the estimated value.

 As the values of works of art by John Duncan Fergusson consistently climb, so there is an ever greater need for the confirmation of legitimacy. It follows therefore, that any of the believed to be John Duncan Fergusson works of art that do come to light will likely require a comprehensive investigation into their backgrounds and equally their authenticity. Or for confirmation that any previously given attribution is correct and that any description of a work of art claiming to be by this artist can truly be relied upon.

 With such very high values, even for the most modest of works, including in some cases simple studies and even sketches, then attempts at imitation by forgery is an obvious consequence and the simplest ploy adopted by those of that persuasion, is to add a signature or monogram, apply a forged studio stamp, or a persuasive inscription or a gallery label to a previously anonymous work. This is usually a picture of a vaguely similar nature or style, or one conducted in the similar manner of the artist that is claiming to be by.

Nearly always, it is one that was created by an anonymous follower and this is the most common form of criminal deception by faking that we see. Unfortunately, it also applies to those providing supportive faked provenance documentation and even COA's.

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 We are international fine art consultants and investigators UK Based, specialising in conducting full investigations into the authenticity of works of art created by artists in all categories, from all regions and historical eras. We scrutinize and track provenance and have confidentially now been serving and advising both private individuals and corporate clients from around the world for over 45 years.

 We can assist and advise you in all fine art related matters, particularly issues of authenticity and the attribution of any old or modern master works of art. Including the works of John Duncan Fergusson, his circle or followers, or any works of art that you are unsure about.

 Some examples of works of art appear below. 

Note: No inference is made nor intended as to the question of their legitimacy. Moreover they are an across the board representational illustrative view of the differing types of works offered and advertised for sale at auction internationally.

John Duncan Fergusson - At the piano
signed and dated 'J.D. FERGUSSON./1902.' (on the reverse) oil on panel

Estimate £15,000.00 - £20,000.00
Sold £26,250.00 GBP

Circle of John Duncan Fergusson (1874-1961) British. Study of a Mother and Child, Seated in a Garden, Oil on Canvas

Est £100 -200

ATTRIBUTED TO JOHN DUNCAN FERGUSSON (SCOTTISH, 1874-1961), SPRING BLOOM, unsigned, oil on board with pencil sketch to the board verso

Estimate: £800 - £1,200

John Duncan Fergusson - Fine Art Authentication

The duration and direction of any attribution or authenticity investigation of a modern master 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 and directing comprehensive investigations and in depth research, with a view to establishing a correct, complete and formally recognized certification of a work of art. One that is absolutely upheld by the appropriate, legally acknowledged and internationally sanctioned authority, body or expert on that given artist. By directing detailed and often complicated inquiries, with multilingual capability, full international academic research and any 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, quality and condition reports.

John Duncan Fergusson: Step one in the Art Authentication and Attribution process.

The Pre-Authentication Assessment

    Before you begin any authenticity, legitimacy, or artist attribution investigation, it is wise to have an impartial preliminary assessment of the viability of the project conducted first. One made to independently and rationally balance any negative issues there may be against the positive. You should treat this study as a safety net.

 We will be happy to professionally undertake this for you, based upon good quality images that you supply and all the known facts regarding its acquisition, the history and provenance of the work of art as is known to you.

You will then have a far better understanding of the prospects and indeed the possible pitfalls that could lie ahead.

See our FAQ's for details of the process

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 ITS TERMINOLOGY

  *It is important to very clearly understand the auction terms that are 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 works of art which bear a signature or monogram. In this case as if they were defining the creations of the British artist John Duncan Fergusson.

•  Where the name, John Duncan Fergusson is given with the first name/s and surname of the artist, usually cited as John Duncan Fergusson, including his dates, then in their qualified and professional opinion they are in no doubt. It is a genuine and authentic item and one painted by the 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 John Duncan Fergusson is used, or it is similarly defined as 'ascribed to' or '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.

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