Authenticity is everything. It is also an elastic word that begs for a deeper definition. Throughout the 1970's galleries began offering an in house "Certificate of Authenticity" for the artwork they sold. It was usually on some type of watermarked parchment paper and looked very important. The certificate was in the name of the company selling the art and signed by one of the company's officers. This practice continues today and in our opinion is a flagrant conflict of interest. Any opinion of authenticity should be given by a recognized 3rd party expert.
This is the philosophy behind the BULLETPROOF AUTHENTICATION™ gurantee. Our Bulletproof Authentication™ services mean that your art is authenticated by a respected expert in the field. By definition, an expert is one who has devoted a good portion of their life to the study of the artists's work, has examined thousands of the artist's works and has achieved a certain status among their peers. For any given artist there are only a handful of such individuals.
Secondly, Bulletproof Authentication™ services must be from a 3rd party. If you were buying a home, would you allow the seller to do the inspection? A collector should be equally discriminating when it comes to their art purchases.
BULLETPROOF AUTHENTICATION™ services provide a written document from an authoritative figure that guarantees the legitimacy of the work in question. If the work is an original drawing, painting or sculpture, it means that the work was created by the hands of the artist. If the work is a hand signed limited edition, the authentication guarantees that the artist authorized the production of the limited editions, had some involvement in the creation of the limited editions and that the work is signed by the hand of the artist. Our Bulletproof Authentication™ certification holds validity anywhere in the world. Now, in the case of Salvador Dalí there are a few select individuals whose expertise and opinions are recognized world wide as being truly guranteed. It is imperative that any work of art by Salvador Dalí comes with an authentication from one of these sources.
Here are the experts we use and consult regarding the works of Salvador Dalí, often times you will receive an opinion by two of more of these experts:
Fundacío Gala-Salvador Dalí - The Gala-Salvador Dalí Foundation is a private cultural institution with the mission, as stated in its bylaws, to promote, boost, divulge, lend prestige to, protect and defend in Spain and in any other country the artistic, cultural and intellectual oeuvre of the painter, his goods and rights of any nature; his life experience, his thoughts, his projects and ideas and artistic, intellectual and cultural works; his memory and the universal recognition of the genius of his contribution to the Fine Arts, culture and contemporary thought.
Mr. Frank Hunter – Mr. Hunter is the Director of the Salvador Dalí Archives in New York, founded over 50 years ago by the renowned Dalí expert and Dalí Archivist, Albert Field. Salvador Dalí considered Mr. Hunter a friend, and while Dalí was in residence at New York's St. Regis Hotel, Mr. Hunter would often assist him in various projects.
With nearly 40 years tutelage from Albert Field, and with the eye of a microbiologist-turned-architect, Mr. Hunter now authenticates Dalí's prints and original works for individual collectors, galleries, and auction houses.
Dr. Alex J Rosenberg –Sc.D., AAA, ASA, Mr. Rosenberg is the former head and Certified Member of the Appraisers Association of America and an Accredited Senior Member of the American Society of Appraisers. Mr. Rosenberg had many business dealings with Salvador Dalí, including publishing Dalí's suite of prints, The Memories of Surrealism. He was also a personal friend of the artist.
Mr. Robert Descharnes – Mr. Robert Descharnes was Salvador Dalí's secretary and business associate. Mr Descharnes has written numerous books documenting the works of Salvador Dalí. He owns a large collection of Dalí photographs that he personally took of the artist. He lives and works in Paris.
Mr. Nicolas Descharnes. -The son of Robert. He assists his father in the authentication of Dalí originals. The two recently wrote a book on Dalí Sculptures and three dimensional objects. He lives and works in Paris.
Mr. Peter Lucas - AAA - Mr. Lucas holds the coveted title of Certified Member of the Appraisers Association of America. He is the son of Phyllis and Sidney Lucas, who were the first North American publishers of limited edition graphics by Dalí. Mr. Lucas has over 40 years experience in the Dalí market having worked alongside his father and mother for most of his adult life. He personally knew Salvador Dalí and through the family business had business dealings with the artist. Based in New York, Mr. Lucas, is also a Dalí Historian.
We consider those mentioned to be the the leading authorities on Salvador Dalí. They are dedicated to preserving the integrity of the Dalí market. Their advice and opinions are sought after by the world’s most prominent museums, auction houses or private collectors. They are well respected within the Dalí community. A certificate of authentication from one of these authorities grants full legitimacy to the work of art in question.
Mr. Joseph Nuzzolo, President of The Salvador Dalí Society, is also considered a Dalí expert, with over 20 years experience in the Dalí market and having personally examined nearly 10,000 Dalí works. However Mr. Nuzzolo reserves his expertise for those who have been wronged in the Dalí market. He works pro-bono in getting refunds for those have purchased incorrect Dalí works. If necessary, Mr. Nuzzolo will coordinate with Law Enforcement authorities to procure restitution for his clients.
It is quite easy for most
art brokers to provide you with their own in-house certification
of authenticity, but our policy is that an unbiased opinion
from a recognized third party authenticator is the only honest and reliable
way to make sure your work of art is correct.
If you are skeptical about the authenticity of your Dalí, you may call Mr. Nuzzolo at 1-888-888-Dalí or e-mail him at, joenuzzolo@dalinet.com, for his expert opinion of your work.
We offer our Bulletproof Authentication™ services free of charge when purchasing any work of art from us. We are the only art dealers in the world who offer such a Bulletproof Authentication™ service.
