Freemanart - Expert  in the  Fine  Art of  Authentication - Expert de l'oeuvrede John Crome  

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INTERNATIONAL FINE ART CONSULTANTS 

Specialising in conducting investigations into the authenticity  attributions of the artworks, paintings & drawings of

JOHN CROME

Norwich School Painters

English Romantic Painter, 1768-1821

Norwich River:Afternoon  John Crome (1768–1821)
Norfolk Museums Service  

  John Crome, also known as Old Crome, so as not to be mistaken for his artist son John Berney Crome, lived all his life in the east coast English city of Norwich which lies 160 miles north east of London.

  His artistic training was basic, guided by a local coach and sign writer called Francis Whistler with whom he spent seven years as an apprentice.

But it was an arts patron, Thomas Harvey, who had the most influence on John Crome's career as an artist. Firstly, introducing him to his own collection of fine Dutch artists works, such as those painted by Hobbema, van Ruisdael and Cuyp, whose influence in Crome's own work was dramatic.

 Crome's attention focussed largely on local landscapes and buildings and in particular the local rivers, coastline, mills and bridges and he was accredited early in his career as the founder member of the Norwich school. Or society of painters, whose members included John Sell Cottman, Henry Bright, Robert Ladbrook, James Stark, George Vincent and Thomas Lound, amongst others.

Moonlit Norwich River landscape -John Crome

The Norwich School and John Crome Fakes:

  Always an issue, particularly when you have a large group of painters who in the main, focus their attention on very similar subject matter and who are painting very similarly in style and manner to those leading the fashion of the time, is to discern and differentiate who exactly is who and who did what, particularly when paintings do remain unsigned. And it is the anonymous paintings which appear from both the time frame and a little later, that may be painted by true Norwich school affiliates, but also the circle and followers of the time and also just artist hobbyists. Artists who love and imitate the manner in which the Norwich school painters plied their trade. So often, it is these works of art which magically grow a new signature overnight and suddenly develop a provenance and a pedigree and lineage worthy of a Gainsborough!

This is one of the most common frauds in the art world we encounter.

Added signatures, placed there to deceive and defraud. . Sadly it's not a new trade, as it's been going on for time immemorial.

The other problem is previous expert or historic attributions, today disagreed with and seen as a mistake.

Yare River John Crome                                               Fake Tom Keating painting in the manner of John Crome

AUTHENTICATION STEP ONE - THE PRELIMINARY ASSESSMENT OF VIABILITY STUDY

 With John Crome like any other Norwich school artist, it is essential to consider the viability of pursuing an authenticity investigation first. So with this in mind, we prefer to undertake a preliminary, professional pre-authentication assessment of the work in question for clients first. An important study and advisory, based upon the images you supply, the details of the work of arts history and provenance and any previous information, research or analysis that you may have formerly conducted on it.

This is made aiming to balance any obvious negative issues against the positive ones and to consider whatever requirements that may be necessary in its future pursuit. It's a logical and cost effective professional assessment for which there is a modest set fee.

Then you will be in a far better position to decide if the project is worth undertaking.

Please see our FAQ's which explains this process in detail.

CONTACT

We will get back to you promptly.

Marine scene 1835 Painted in the Manner of John Crome