HOLA FROM MEXICO (again) (February 20, 2012)
How is that possible? We’ve been back in San Miguel de Allende for a full week. I’m working on the final polishing of Artful Dodgers: Fraud and Foolishness in the Art Market using the excellent comments of my writing hero … Continue reading
APPALLING APPRAISER (February 11, 2012)
I visited a gallery the other day and heard from the dealer a very disturbing story about an appraiser that will certainly now be inserted in Artful Dodgers: Fraud and Foolishness in the Art Market. Chapter 7 of the book … Continue reading
ART MYTHUNDERSTANDINGS Part 3 (January 30, 2012)
Copyright has been with us in this country ever since the earliest prints were published with the notation along the bottom that they had been “Entered according to act of Congress”. The concept actually goes back to William Hogarth (1697-1764) … Continue reading
DALI AUTHORIZED ALBARETTO PRINTS (January 27, 2012)
There has been much discussion about the authenticity of the prints of Dali images that were published by Giuseppe Albaretto through the Paris publicatuion firm that he had a half interest in, Les Heures Claires. This is the company founded by … Continue reading
FRIENDS IN GALA’S BEDROOM (January 26, 2012)
There has been much speculation and skepticism about the relationship between two couples who are central to so much of the Salvador Dali story. Dr. Giuseppe and Dr. Mara Albaretto … Continue reading
ART MYTHUNDERSTANDINGS part 2 (January 19, 2012)
SIGNATURES on artworks are always considered desirable. Hopefully they are readable or the painting, print or sculpture may be attributed to “annonymous”. On the many occasions that I have given lectures to artist groups or I have known there were a … Continue reading
ART MARKETS 2011 AND 2012 (January 16, 2012)
I’ll get back to the new series Art Mythunderstandings next time with a post about artist’s signatures; but for now I want to look at the art market’s performance in 2011 and think about what 2012 might bring us.
It … Continue reading
ART MYTHUNDERSTANDINGS I (January 13, 2012)
CONFUSION BETWEEN PRICE AND VALUE
Two of the most misused and misunderstood words in the art market are price and value. In fact, it is possible for an artwork to have a price, but little or no value. It happens every day … Continue reading
Announcing: ART MYTHUNDERSTANDINGS (January 12, 2012)
We, of course, receive telephone calls every day and since we so often hear from callers the same misunderstandings about the way the art market works, I thought it would be useful to address some of those repetitive topics. Since … Continue reading
Anthropologist on Adolescence (January 5, 2012)
In my office I have an extensive library of art novels, books by dealers and memoirs of various art market figures. These are not the hard core of the library, but they can be a lot of fun. Perhaps I’ll re-read … Continue reading
INVESTMENT OR SPECULATION ? (December 29, 2011)
There is so much talk about investing in art. There is also a lot of misunderstanding. My book Artful Dodgers: Fraud and Foolishness in the Art Market will soon discuss the topic in some detail. It will point out that … Continue reading
CRIMINAL CONNECTIONS (December 16, 2011)
If you want to see an absolutely fascinating video about the way in which Theresa Franks of Fine Art Registry has connected herself to a longtime, multi-faceted criminal, go to www.powercorruptsagain.com and take the time … Continue reading
MORE ON THERESA FRANKS AND FAR (December 13, 2011)
“Perhaps the worm is turning,” said my correspondent on the telephone. I sincerely hope he’s right, and it appears that he is. The bad news for Theresa Franks and her Fine Art Registry just keeps coming. A great new posting by … Continue reading
THE SHOE’S ON THE OTHER FOOT (December 12, 2011)
While there’s no pleasure in seeing another person in difficulties, I cannot help but think that perhaps the problems piling up for Theresa Franks of Fine Art Registry (FAR) will keep her sufficiently occupied to refrain from posting lies about … Continue reading
WESTERN ART, YOU ASK? (December 1, 2011)
WESTERN ART, YOU ASK?
That’s just what happened. With my reputation as the International Salvador Dali expert, many people don’t know the breadth and depth of my experience and knowledge with other types of art. That’s why a guy recently … Continue reading
HOW NASTY CAN SHE GET? (November 22, 2011)
Teresa Franks of Fine Art Registry has posted another incredibly nasty, twisted and fictitious article about me on her blog. I’ll not address the many lies or the unbalanced mind that does this, but I do want to point out … Continue reading
CARAVAGGIO MEMORIES (November 21, 2011)
I just finished reading a very good book that brought back memories from when I made my first visit to Rome at the age of fourteen. Titled “The Lost Painting”, it was written by Jonathan Harr and is the story … Continue reading
WHERE ARE WE? (October 19, 2011)
A conversation with Dali dealer Joe Nuzzolo today made me ask myself (as he had) where are we in the ongoing Dali Wars?
Lawsuits: The lawsuits filed by Park West Gallery against Fine Art Registry and the lawsuits filed against Park West … Continue reading
A MUST READ REPORT ON THERESA FRANKS AND FINE ART REGISTRY (October 3, 2011)
Much has been said on this blog about Theresa Franks, her bogus “art marking system” and her attacks on me because I am the expert witness who testifies against her. Now a totally independent and disinterested writer, Michael Wilson, has … Continue reading
ED WESTON PULLS A DALI SHENANIGAN Part 2 (September 22, 2011)
So, I’ve told you that Ed Weston called to “run an idea” past me which he believed would help him sell a couple of hundred fake prints of “Discovery of America By Christopher Columbus”. I knew the edition … Continue reading
ED WESTON PULLS A DALI SHENANIGAN Part 1 (September 20, 2011)
In my thirty-one years of debunking cons and scams related to the sale of prints attributed to Salvador Dali, I have seen some doozies, but perhaps Ed Weston topped all of his competitors. Yes, I know, Edward Weston was a … Continue reading
No Other Place Like Santa Fe (September 15, 2011)
When I first moved to Santa Fe eleven years ago (after doing business here monthly for almost thirty years) people would ask why, after thirty years in Colorado, I had moved. I would tell them it was because Santa Fe … Continue reading
The Eyes Have It! (September 1, 2011)
Yes, Melinda’s eye operation was a great success even though the doctor said that because of all of her challenges it was a hard one. He was sufficiently satisfied with the results to … Continue reading
CONTINUING CASUALTIES OF GOOGLE BOMB (August 31, 2011)
Just as with all warfare, the casualties last far beyond the live action. Throughout 2008, 2009 and 2010, Theresa Franks of the bogus Fine Art Registry posted lies about me on the Internet. Some were posted in her own name, … Continue reading
GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO PURCHASE SURREALIST ART ()
I have been contacted privately about an offering of works by a major surrealist whose work is little known. Antonio Gattorno (Cuban 1904-1980) created a large body of art, much of which is clearly Dali-inspired, but never derivative. Born in … Continue reading
EARLY REYNOLDS MORSE Part three (August 10, 2011)
Lincoln in Dalivision
Once again we turn to Reynolds Morse’s ca. 1989-1990 Memorandum For Prosecutors, Judges and Juries Involved in Dali Art Fraud Cases and find him discussing the Dali print that would end up being faked more than any … Continue reading
EARLY REYNOLDS MORSE Part 2 (August 2, 2011)
In his ca. 1990 Memorandum For Prosecutors, Judges and Juries Involved in Dali Art Fraud Cases, Ren Morse, President of The Salvador Dali Foundation and The Salvador Dali Museum, refers to, “The most flagrant case where a commissioned Dali subject … Continue reading
EARLY INFO. FROM REYNOLDS MORSE (July 28, 2011)
I’d almost forgotten about the undated essay I received from Reynolds Morse, probably in 1988-1990. The founder and president of The Salvador Dali Museum and I were corresponding about the massive increase in fake prints attributed to Salvador Dali. We … Continue reading
BACK ON THE TRAIL AGAIN (July 24, 2011)
There comes a time in the affairs of man…when it’s time to move on. Actually, I’ve not so much moved on as I have picked up and moved twelve miles south. I’ve sold my marvelous ca. 1820s compound on Old … Continue reading
PAY NO ATTENTION TO THE MAN BEHIND THE CURTAIN (June 12, 2011)
Shortly after the 1987 broadcast of CBS News’ 60 Minutes telecast about abuses in the Salvador Dali market I had an eye-opening experience. I had taken the story to the network and then worked closely with Mike Wallace and his … Continue reading
LET’S GET THIS STRAIGHT: (May 27, 2011)
After I posted about the expected sale of the fine collection of Salvador Dali original artworks to be offered by Baron Philippe duNoyer, this blog received a comment that I have posted below. It asked why I would say lauditory … Continue reading
AND THE CON GOES ON – “DALI” BRONZES ()
So there I was, once again explaining to a collector that the “original bronze by Salvador Dali” that she had bought was not what she had been told. I said it was created and cast posthumously and the Master never … Continue reading
DEATH OF GALA (May 22, 2011)
That is the title of this poem. Who do you think wrote it?
I had a dream that Gala died
With no one standing by her side,
For even death refused to host
Such a terrifying ghost.
GREAT DALI COLLECTION TO BE OFFERED FOR SALE (May 18, 2011)
Remember, you heard it here first–even if we don’t have all the details yet.
The Baron Philippe duNoyer, a longtime player in the market for Salvador Dali artworks, told me in a personal telephone call I made to him on … Continue reading
OF GLASS AND CLASS (May 4, 2011)
In my almost four decades of developing and pursuing a career as an international fine art appraiser, I have, of course, encountered a great many very accomplished artists, many of whom had international reputations. Few have impressed me as much … Continue reading
WANNA BUY A PAINTING? (April 27, 2011)
I’ve been asked more than once, “So how much does a painting usually cost?” There is, of course, no definitive answer to this unreasonable question, but the parameters within which it might be answered have just expanded–explosively. Have you ever … Continue reading
BOUND FOR SPAIN? POSSIBLY (April 25, 2011)
The Fundacio Gala-Salvador Dali has announced that with several other entities it will sponsor an international seminar on authentication and the identification of fake works of art. The goal is to bring together experts who will exchange information on detection … Continue reading
BERNARD IN THE FINAL FIVE (April 13, 2011)
The Appraisal Foundation in Washington, D. C. put out a call for applications for appointment to The Appraisal Standards Board—the body which sets the professional rules for the appraisal profession through writing and promulgating The Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal … Continue reading
THE DIEGO RIVERA PICKPOCKET AND ARTFUL DODGERS (April 6, 2011)
You have read here about the fun we had with Enrique and Silvia Zepeda in Mexico City. One of the things we did was to visit the Diego Rivera Mural Museum which displays a huge painting containing most of the … Continue reading
NEED SOME PRAYERS (March 27, 2011)
Whatever your religious and spiritual beliefs may be, I would really appreciate your saying a prayer for my darling wife Melinda who will be having eye surgery at the University of North Carolina on Monday. Her left eye will hava … Continue reading
SUCH A GUY, THAT ENRIQUE! (March 12, 2011)
SUCH A GUY, THAT ENRIQUE!
Well it took me long enough to find the time here in San Miguel de Alliende, Mexico to … Continue reading
MIA CULPA – AGAIN (March 8, 2011)
No sooner had I returned from Mexico City and a splendid visit with Dali collector and scholar Enrique Zepeda, than I received an email from him pointing out that in my last blog posting I had referred to him as … Continue reading
Hola From Mexico ! (March 1, 2011)
Here I again sit in my third floor writing studio working on the rewrite of Artful Dodgers: Fraud and Foolishness in the Art Market. With a terrific torta Cubana and a Cerveza Pacifico close at hand, gentle breezes wafting in … Continue reading
ANSWERING THE QUESTIONS (February 21, 2011)
So, there I was enjoying breakfast with friends in a beautiful courtyard restaurant in San Miguel de Alliende, Mexico, when that frequently asked question again came up. “What’s happening with the Dali court cases and those crazies who were attacking … Continue reading
DALI POPS AND POP DALI (February 14, 2011)
Did you see that? A Salvador Dali oil on panel painting has once again set a new record at auction. They almost always do, you know.
In this case, the winner was “Etude pour ‘Le Miel est plus doux que … Continue reading
MY FRIENDS REN AND ELEANORE (January 24, 2011)
Attending the Grand Opening of the splendid new Salvador Dali Museum in St. Petersburg, Florida (story and pics below), I thought frequently of how thrilled A. Reynolds and Eleanore Morse would have been to see the culmination of their half-century … Continue reading
ATLANTA TO ST. PETERSBURG (January 16, 2011)
My last post shared some of the excitement expressed by the droves of visitors to the all-night “closing” of the major exhibition at the High Museum in Atlanta, Dali: The Later Years. Well now we have the numbers.
When we … Continue reading
ATLANTA SHOW CONFIRMS DALI’S APPEAL (January 10, 2011)
SALVADOR DALI: THE LATE WORK, currated by Elliott King at the High Museum Of Art in Atlanta was just as splendid a show as I had hoped. When you read a high-quality show catalog, the curator’s essay will reveal just … Continue reading
