The challenges of expert assessments in the contemporary market of visual arts are quite commonplace and encompass the entire global industry, particularly in the United States. Yakov Skulskyi, an internationally renowned art director, gallerist, and art historian, shared with us the intricacies and peculiarities involved in crafting expert opinions.
Between the Past and the Future
In the realm of contemporary art, it is straightforward to inquire about the artistic process of current creators: "Did you produce this piece?" "Provide more insights?" and so forth. As the expert emphasizes, in the current era, establishing contact with the creator of an art piece is relatively easy, leveraging the influence of social networks and the ubiquity of swift communication facilitated by the Internet. However, negotiating with a deceased artist is no longer feasible. Queries such as "Did you paint this picture?" cannot be directed to them. Unfortunately, responses from the past elude us. Consequently, the specialist outlines several methodologies to deduce the authenticity of an object. "We can personally inspect the object and rely on the material at our disposal. With my concise reference to 'material,' I have encapsulated a specific list of data crucial for authenticating the object and unraveling the artwork's history," notes the expert.
Painting: A Heritage of World Culture
The primary emphasis lies on painting, given its substantial prevalence compared to other forms of visual arts. In a light-hearted manner, Yakov jests, "Pardon my recurring tautology about the visual arts. Yet, what other endearing and pleasant terms can we employ for the creations of painters, graphic artists, and sculptors, if not as 'Heritage destined to endure beyond its genesis'?" This perspective resonates, for even those artworks that vanished or were lost amid tumultuous epochs in world history have etched their imprint in records, photographs, and the recollections of those who beheld them firsthand.
Legacy of Creators
As the primary investigative method, the expert introduces a thorough examination of material through the family or heirs of the creator. They utilize archival materials bequeathed to them, along with personal memories of the artist—how he shaped his narratives, the brushes he employed, the paints he chose, and the essence of his depictions, imbued with the spirit and emotions permeating his paintings.
Yakov somberly observes that, in most instances, this method is applicable primarily to artists born in the mid-19th century and beyond. The challenge arises from the difficulty, and at times near impossibility, of tracing the paths of artists predating this period. Moreover, the specialist underscores that researchers should bear in mind a substantial number of artists led unconventional lifestyles, devoid of stable relationships or lived in solitude.
By directly engaging with the artist's descendants—whether a certified expert or a private collector—one can leverage the perspectives and materials of the artist's heirs to conduct an independent analysis and formulate conclusions.
Yakov Skulskyi imparts his experience, stating, "Ultimately, the heir themselves can affirm this with a decisive statement: 'This is the work of my father!' or 'This is the work of my wife, daughter, son.' The crux lies in recognizing that everyone is susceptible to errors, constituting what I term the quandary of authenticating art objects."
Expert Opinion
Discussing the next category, which the specialist refers to as "expert opinion," Yakov elucidates that the global art market currently hosts a myriad of art historians and experts in the field, each employing distinctive methodologies and holding varied reputations.
Yakov himself stands as an art historian with a specialized focus on Ukrainian, Russian, and Jewish artists who resided in the Russian Empire or the Soviet Union and later immigrated to the United States—commonly recognized as emigrant artists. These individuals discovered a new home without forsaking their roots. They divulged scant details about their past, and Yakov, in his role as an expert, endeavors to illuminate the world about what has been lost and forgotten. His objective is to formulate a comprehensive synthesis that encompasses all facets of the artist's life, laying bare their biography and artistic trajectory.
Science in the Service of Art History
Another authentication method underscored by the art historian involves the chemical-technological analysis of a painting. In this instance, microscopic samples of paint are extracted from the scrutinized artwork and others with an undisputed positive reputation for comparative compositional analysis.
Furthermore, microscopic scrutiny of the paint itself is employed, investigating the phases of its aging signaled by the presence of craquelure (derived from the French term "crack"), subtle fissures in the paint sometimes imperceptible without a microscope. The examination encompasses the density of the paint, its texture, and pivotal details and fragments of the canvas. Employing X-ray fluoroscopy to scrutinize the painting enables the determination of all stages of the paint application on the canvas or any other material utilized by the artist.
In any business transaction, contractual agreement, or other accord among individuals, there exists a signature. Naturally, this essential component extends to paintings. Every artist anticipates the necessity of affirming authorship, manifesting in the logical act of affixing their signature to the canvas. Occasionally, additional details about the painting, such as its creation date, title, and more, accompany the signature. Thus, what course of action should be taken in the absence of a signature? The expert underscores that, with a present signature, coupled with chemical-technological and artistic analyses, authenticating the painting becomes apparent. Conversely, in the absence of a signature, the task becomes more intricate.
As an illustrative case, Yakov cites the most expensive painting ever sold in history, surpassing half a billion dollars – "Salvator Mundi," attributed by experts to the greatest artist of all time, Leonardo da Vinci (1452 - 1519). The canvas lacks a signature, rendering definitive authentication challenging. This procedure is termed attribution, signifying that this painting has been ascribed to the body of work of Leonardo da Vinci due to the absence of a signature. To date, experts have not uncovered indisputable evidence verifying Leonardo da Vinci as its creator. Consequently, many experts categorize this phenomenon as partially attributed.
Other Significant Factors
Drawing upon his extensive expertise, Yakov Skulskyi highlights that when there is documented and archival information about the canvas, such as an exhibition label and the painting's catalog number, vintage photographs from exhibitions, or newspaper features showcasing the artwork, the expert integrates these elements into their conclusive evaluation, known as its provenance.
Yakov concludes by emphasizing, "It is crucial for all of us to comprehend that the viewpoints of the artist's heirs, as well as those of experts, including my own, are subjective, as melancholy as that may sound—it is the reality. They can be fallible, prejudiced, and regrettably, frequently swayed. I wish to wrap up this discourse on a positive note: every individual has their own origin, just as any work of art has its creator."
Author: Jessie Brown
