In general, it's Matisse's graphic works which cause the greatest headache for authentication experts today, as they flood the market alongside Picasso's, Dali's, Miro's and Chagall fakes and forged reproductions bearing fake signatures in ever greater numbers.

 Most of these fake prints are illegitimate reproductions of original and authentic Matisse works of art called Heliogravures which are photographic reproductions of original works of art but they are NOT original prints by the artist. They are not bargains nor investment potential. They are fakes.

They may be signed with the word Matisse but which Matisse signed them is another question?

 

 Henri Matisse saw print making as an extension of his drawing and an important part of his artistic output, so it is a great pity that so much questionable product is still available through internet sites and petit gray art dealerships.

 Of the fake Matisse drawings and more minor fake Matisse paintings which you see from time to time on the internet or which appear at minor auction houses, house clearance and estate sales, then it's down to the general public to ask themselves the most salient question of all before they commit to buy it.

"Is it simply good enough to be by Matisse?" 

Frankly, most fake Matisse works of art we see simply are not!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Below Left - Fake Signed Matisse - Artist Unknown -

Below centre; an authentic Matisse: Interior with Etruscan Vase painted in 1940. Oil on canvas.

The Cleveland Museum of Art