Protecting Against Fakes and Forgeries

Should you be uneasy about purchasing a work you have chosen, here are a few tips to protect yourself:

1. Information is power so become familiar and gather as much information about the artist as possible. Start with the resume and look at gallery listings, exhibit catalogs, and any reviews on the artist. Try ArtFact and AskArt which are online resources. If you find the artist's work is located in a museum collection, you might contact the museum to give you an opinion on authenticity.
2. See as much work by the artist as possible.
3. Try to get a sense of the style of work in the different series or periods.
4. Does the work come from a reputable gallery or previous owner? A certificate of authenticity is the proof that a gallery stands behind the artwork.
5. Contact the authority for that artist’s work. This will generally be the author of the catalogue raisonn éwhich is a list of all the works made by an artist.
6. Does this work use the same materials that the artist uses? And is the subject matter similar to other works? Some artists may work in a variety of materials and subjects so this needs to be well researched. Perhaps you should think twice about buying a depiction of Christ in glass by Matisse.
7. Does the signature look right? Compare it to the signature on known works. Of course, a good forger works hard on the signature.
8. Is the category of sizes offered similar as others by the artist? Artists generally work in only certain sizes within the large, medium, small categories.
9. If you are suspicious of the work being stolen then you can check with the FBI. They keep files of recorded stolen works. Any artwork over $2000 can be checked with the Art Loss Registry in London.
10. If you are spending a great deal of money, you’ll want to make absolutely sure that is the real thing. Have the work appraised by a licensed appraiser. Be sure to provide the appraiser the certificate of authenticity. The appraiser will need to look at all evidence. Reputable appraisers include American Appraisers Association, American Society of Appraisers, International Society of Appraisers and our own Joan Seifried at Angel Appraisers.
11. Don’t be tricked by thinking because something looks old that it is old. All art can be aged.
12. Don’t confuse copies or limited editions with forgeries. If it is suspiciously less expensive, then it could be a multiple work and, thus, completely original. Look for the limited edition number and the signature. It could also be a copy created by a student of the artist; although not the original, depending on the student, it could have substantial value.

Compiled by Patricia Frischer and edited by Lisa Roche

An unsigned copy of a work of art is a “fake”. It is only when someone represents the fake as being by the artist that it becomes a "forgery". This list of categories of authentication could be helpful to the collector.

Artist or Maker – the full name used means the work is created by that artist

Attributed to – preceding the artist’s name means that the it may be in whole or part by the artist

Studio or Workshop of – preceding the artist’s name means a work possibly executed under the supervision of the artist

Circle of – preceding the artist’s name means it is a work of the period of the artist and closely related to the artist’s style

School of – preceding the artist’s name means it is a work by a pupil or follower of the artist

Manner or Style of – preceding the artist’s name means it is awork in the style of the artists but possibly of a later period

After – preceding the artist’s name means it is a copy of an image created by the named artist

Additional information kindly supplied by Joan Seifried.

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