FREEMANART  INTERNATIONAL  FINE  ART  CONSULTANTS  -  ART  AUTHENTICATION   INVESTIGATIONS AND   RESEARCH   EXPERTS 

ARTIST  ATTRIBUTION  ANALYSTS  -   HISTORY AND PROVENANCE  VERIFICATION   -  FAKE AND   FORGERY  DETECTION 

ART  FRAUD  INVESTIGATORS  -  DUE DILIGENCE  SCRUTINY   -  ACQUISITION  AND  FINE ART ASSET MANAGEMENT 

EXPERTS INVESTIGATEURS INTERNATIONAUX EN AUTHENTICITÉ DES BEAUX-ARTS - ARTISTES ATTRIBUTION LEGITIMACY CONSULTATIONS

Investigating the Authenticity of Paintings and Drawings believed to be by or Attributed to;

John William Waterhouse, R.A., R.I.

1849-1917

J W Waterhouse

Romanticism, Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood, Neoclassicism

  Of the British Victorian artist John William Waterhouse, perhaps Newall says it best in his Celebration of British and European Painting of the 19th and 20th Centuries:

 "His subjects range from the mythological, through the historical reconstructions beloved of the Victorians, to romantic subjects based in literature or legend. Almost all include beautiful young girls, painted with an adoring enthusiasm and usually introducing a mood of sexual invitation. The genres of painting with which Waterhouse was concerned were out of date by the end of his life; he died in 1917; he was one of the last great subject painters in British art."

 Clearly there is obviously no necessity for a full biography of the life of John William Waterhouse here, as it has been documented extremely well by other authors, with the exception that inevitably, as he was successful and the subject popular, he was imitated.

As it can be said that any attempt at imitation is clearly an attempt at deception, particularly when the work is bearing a signature of another, due to the vastly increasing values of his works of art in recent years and the quantity of works of art he produced in his lifetime, today, all manner of paintings claiming to be his, either deliberately faked, or more commonly, misrepresented or simply misattributed to this hand, sometimes many years ago, either mistakenly or deliberately, they do appear on the art market.

 It may well be true that there are some works that were either lost, mislaid, or have been with families across the world for aeons and have never surfaced, still yet to be documented. But it must be said, some of the John William Waterhouse works that do appear on the open market will need seriously investigating to be absolutely certain of both their legitimacy or a previously given attribution.

 Falsified works can be effected simply by the inclusion of a copied signature or a monogram placed on a work of art that is just a similar or early type, style, or the subject matter to that of Waterhouse. A previous signature which has been deleted from an old painting with a new one added is common. It is no wonder that question marks can and sometimes do arise about the authenticity of some of his paintings and confusion as to whether they were just from his studio, by pupils or from his circle.

* * *

 We are international fine art consultants, specialising in conducting full investigations into the authenticity of works of art created by artists in all categories, all regions and from historical eras, alongside scrutinizing their provenance.

Confidentially serving 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, legitimacy and the attribution of old and modern master works of art. Including the fine works of John William Waterhouse, his circle and followers, or any paintings or works of art that you are unsure about.

 Some examples of Waterhouses works and those signed with that name, appear below.  No inference or question is made as to their authenticity, moreover they are a representational view of the types of works offered for sale at auction internationally some of which will need to be understood and sometimes specifically qualified and authenticated.

John William Waterhouse, R.A. (1849-1917)

2 black chalk on buff paper

£500,750.00   $661,379.00 USD

Circle of John William Waterhouse (1849-1917) British. Study of a Young Girl, Oil on Canvas,

Estimate: £150 - £250

John William Waterhouse, R.A. (1849-1917)
Head study for 'The Enchanted Garden', 1916
oil on canvasboard

GBP £27,500.00

Circle of John William Waterhouse (1849-1917) British. Bust portrait of a girl, Oil on Canvas,

Inscribed on label '103 by Waterhouse' verso

Estimate: £50 - £80

  Both the duration and direction of any attribution or investigation of the authenticity of an art work will always vary from project to project, but there are clear and well defined professional formalities, responsibilities and areas of scrutiny that we can 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.

Directing detailed and complicated inquiries with multilingual, 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 doubted.

 Confirmation:  Undertaking research and investigations into the legitimacy of the provenance, history and prior ownership of a work of art and establishing its own accuracy.

 Scrutiny: Examen minutieux: Identifying fake works of art and forgeries, including any false supportive accompanying documentation and determining works of art which may be studio or later copies, or previous incorrect attributions.

 Prosecution: Poursuite: Investigating alleged art fraud and forgery and assisting and advising those who are , or may be considering litigating or prosecuting the fact. This includes legal professionals and 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.

Step one in the Art Authentication and Attribution process.

John William Waterhouse

The Pre-Authentication Assessment

    Before you begin any art authenticity, legitimacy, or any artist attribution investigation, it is more than wise to have an impartial preliminary assessment of the viability of the project conducted first. Made to independently and rationally balance any negative issues there may be against the positive elements. Treat this study as your 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 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 PAINTING DESCRIPTORS AND TERMINOLOGY

John William Waterhouse RA

  It is important to understand the auction terms used in any published descriptor and to be cautious of works that may just be painted in the style or manner of the artist, or even the stylized - would be copies of his works which happen to bear a signature or monogram. In this case the paintings and drawings of John William Waterhouse.

 Where the name, John William Waterhouse is given with the first name/s and surname of the artist, usually as John William Waterhouse , then in their professional opinion they are in no doubt, it is the genuine and authentic item, one painted by the artist himself.

When Attributed to John William Waterhouse , or John William Waterhouse is similarly written or used as ascribed to or Attrib, abbreviated, then in their opinion it is 'probably' a work by the artist, at least in part. But... there is no guarantee. It's only an opinion.

 When John William Waterhouse ; “School of, or Studio of ….” or “Workshop of John William Waterhouse " or atelier of John William Waterhouse " is used, this means that in their opinion it is a work executed in the studio of the artist. Possibly by an apprentice or a pupil under the principal artists supervision and guidance.

 But if the term John William Waterhouse circle of, or “Circle of John William Waterhouse ” is specifically used, then in their opinion, it is a work only of the period of the artist and showing his influence, or closely associated with the artist, BUT not necessarily by his pupil or student.

 When the name is given; Painted in the “Style of John William Waterhouse ” or “Follower of John William Waterhouse is used, this means that in their opinion it is a work of art executed only in the artist’s way, his 'style', but not necessarily by a pupil. But it may be contemporary, or nearly contemporary of the artist.

 If the phrase in the “Manner of John William Waterhouse is used or is defined….” then in their opinion it's also only a work painted in the style of the artist but of a later date and definitely not by the artist himself.

 When the term “After….John William Waterhouse "; 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 himself or another artist/ printmaker.

 Signed John William Waterhouse ; “Dated….” or “Inscribed John William Waterhouse ” 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 William Waterhouse is specified followed by the words; "With signature ….”, or “With date ….” or “With inscription….” or “Bears signature of John William Waterhouse /date/or inscription” Then in 'their opinion,' 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.

SPECIALIST ART AUTHENTICATION LINKS LISTED BY ARTIST

D'AUTHENTIFICATION D'ART PAR ARTISTE

PAUL KLEE

Horatio Henry Couldery

LIENS D'AUTHENTIFICATION D'ART PAR GENRE

OLD  MASTER  ART

Art Ancien

Authentification d'art européen

ALTARPIECE &  PANEL  PAINTINGS

Retable et peintures de panneaux

IMPRESSIONIST   &  MODERN  ART

Art impressionniste et moderne

BRITISH  ART   AUTHENTICATION

Authentification d'art britannique

FRENCH  ART   AUTHENTICATION

Authentification d'art français

SCOTTISH  ART

Authentification de l'art écossais

Art hollandais et flamand

JUDAICA- Jewish Art

Judaica - Authentification de l'art juif

IRISH ART AUTHENTICATION

Authentification d'art irlandais

AMERICAN ART AUTHENTICATION

Authentification d'art américain

RUSSIAN ART AUTHENTICATION

Authentification d'art russe

SPANISH ART

Authentification d'art espagnol

CUBAN ART

Authentification d'art cubain

Authentification d'art canadien

HUNGARIAN ART

Authentification d'art hongrois

NORDIC - SCANDINAVIAN ART

Art nordique et scandinave

ISRAELI  ART

Authentification d'art israélien

ITALIAN ART AUTHENTICATION

Authentification d'art italien

CORNISH ART

INTERNATIONAL PORTRAITURE

OTHER SITE LINKS

BEYOND WILDENSTEIN - THE  GAUGUIN INDEX

1871-1884 | 1885- 1888 |  1889 - 1890 | 1891 - 1893 | 1894 - 1896 | 1897 - 1899 | 1900 - 1903

TERMES ET CONDITIONS

CURRENT INVESTIGATIONS

ENQUÊTES ACTUELLES

LISTE DES CLIENTS D'ENTREPRISE