François Daulte, the reigning authority on Pierre-Auguste
Renoir, is seriously ill and has lately been unable to authenticate works
by the Impressionist artist. The news has led to speculations in Paris
about who might succeed him, some being ready to challenge certain of his
previous authentications.
Japanese and American collectors have long relied on Daulte's certificates in their purchases of works by Renoir. Among his possible successors are Guy-Patrice Dauberville, owner of the Bernheim-Jeune Gallery, who has already authenticated many Renoir's works. Dauberville is already known to be less lenient than Daulte and some dealers fear they may have a harder time obtaining certificates from him. Another possible successor is the Wildenstein Foundation, which has taken over the Vlaminck and Modigliani catalogues.
Experts in France are legally responsible for their authentications and any mistake can result in heavy damage payments. As a result, cautious experts will look to support their judgments with provenance. However, provenance does not mean much if one remembers that forgers were active during the turn of this century and that many well-to-do families bought fakes that they believed were genuine.
At the same time, people can still find hidden treasures at public sales. For example, in December 1994, an unemployed dreamer who roamed salesrooms and flea markets in search of "treasures" purchased a work at Drouot for $150. It showed a mountain landscape and had the name "Monet" written in pencil on the back of the frame. He sought the opinion of a well-known Paris expert, whose verdict was like the blade of a guillotine. "This work is vulgar and has no value," said the expert.
Undeterred, the young man went to the library of the Centre Georges
Pompidou and found in Monet's catalogue a series of similar paintings produced
in Norway in 1895. He also discovered that out of eight works, four were
unaccounted for. After having the painting restored he went to Sotheby's,
where he was told he would have great difficulty in obtaining an authentication.
He nevertheless insisted and the Sotheby's expert finally agreed to send
a photo to the Wildenstein Foundation. Three weeks later it was confirmed
that the painting was a Monet and it fetched $200,000 in a London sale
on June 28, 1995.