Auction-Savvy

Are You Auction-Savvy?

Stephen Chater

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Maurice Denis “Porte Des Grenade” 1905

This is an oil painting by the French painter Maurice Denis (1870-1943). I was unsure of its authenticity so I contacted Fabienne Stahl, an authority on his works and responsible for the compilation of the Catalogue Raisonné de L’oeuvre de Maurice Denis.

Apparently the painting had not been seen previously by her but she was able to confirm its authenticity and to date the painting to 1905 based on a sketch “Porte des Grenades” in the their collection.

Checking online I discovered a recent photo of the Porte des Grenades and am amazed that the painter’s viewpoint holds true.

Here is some further information about the artist: Maurice Denis attended the Académie Julian with Paul Sérusier and Pierre Bonnard, who had shared ideas about painting. Through Bonnard he met additional artists, including Édouard Vuillard, Paul Ranson, Ker-Xavier Roussel and Hermann-Paul. In 1890 they formed a group which they called the Nabis, taken from “Nabi”—Hebrew for “Prophet”. Their philosophy was based upon the philosophy of positivism. Denis described it in 1909: “Art is no longer a visual sensation that we gather, like a photograph, as it were, of nature. No, it is a creation of our spirit, for which nature is only the occasion.”

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Marie & Félix Bracquemond Collection

I was fortunate to be in Paris on April 30th to attend the Artcurial unveiling of an exceptional collection of paintings, drawings, and art objects from the Marie & Félix Bracquemond collection. The auction, Marie & Félix Bracquemond, Un couple au service des Arts, was held in the magnificent historic Hôtel Marcel Dassault in Paris. My only prior knowledge of the artists was that Félix Bracquemond created ceramics with Ernest Chaplet in 1875.

During my stay, I visited the Musée d’Orsay exhibition Paris 1984, Inventing Impressionism. There were several works on display by both Marie & Félix Bracquemond. It was very exciting to discover artists that were previously unknown to me.

Félix Bracquemond (May 22, 1833 – October 27, 1914) was a towering figure in nineteenth-century French printmaking, winning the Grand prix de gravure at the Exposition Universelle in Paris in 1900. He formed a bridge between the Barbizon School and the Impressionists, having close links with both groups. His wife, Marie (December 1, 1840 – January 17, 1916) was a French Impressionist artist. Henri Focillon described Bracquemond in 1928 as one of “les trois grandes dames” of Impressionism alongside  Berthe Morisot and Mary Cassatt.

At the Artcurial auction I purchased a 5.31 x 7.08 inch pen and brown ink drawing by Félix Bracquemond titled “Passants sur le pont Alexandre III” (Passers-by on the Alexandre III bridge). I also visited the Pont Alexandre III  Bridge. A wonderful experience, an adventure worth remembering!

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Additional Tips For Acquiring Art

If you cannot personally attend an auction it is important that you have a complete understanding of the item’s condition. Here are a few questions to ask the auction house prior to bidding before purchasing a painting, drawing or lithograph.

  1. Is there surface grime (does the painting need to be cleaned)?
  2. Is there yellowing, staining or foxing on artworks on paper)?
  3. Is there craquelure – a network of fine cracks in the paint or varnish – on a painted artwork?
  4. Are there signs of insect infestation? This is particularly important for painted artwork on wood panels.
  5. How is the artwork adhered to the backing? For example, is it floated (recommended), lightly taped (ok) or glued down (difficult to remove to replace the backing).

It is equally important to ascertain if the artwork is genuine. Ask the following questions, and if still in doubt, consider obtaining a  a second opinion, perhaps someone notable in the field of work. 

  1. What is the provenance (history of ownership) of the artwork? Good provenance provides the assurance that the work you’re about to acquire is genuine.
  2. Has the artwork been authenticated? If so, by whom?
  3. Is there a certificate of authenticity from a reliable source? (For example, many artworks by Italian painters are accompanied with a signed document that includes photo of the artist with the painting.

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Tips For Acquiring Art From France

Understanding a few key French phrases is paramount to bidding on and purchasing paintings from France. Here are a few terms that auction houses may provide to guide a potential bidder.

“Très léger cheveu au col” is a tight hairline crack or fracture at the neck of the vase.

“Trous de vers dans le panneau” indicates that the wood panel has an insect infestation.  When I received a Monticelli painting I asked a conservator to clean the painting.  She recognized the signs of the infestation (which the auction house had not disclosed).  The conservator was hesitant to treat the infestation because the treatment could further damage the painting.  Ultimately I returned the painting to the auction house for a refund (which is another story…)

“Entourage de” translates to “in the circle of”. For example if lot description of a painting refers to “entourage de Camille Corot”. In their opinion a work of the period of the artist showing his influence, closely associated with the artist but not necessarily his pupil.

“DLG” is an initialism for “dans le gout”. This is similar to “entourage de” meaning “in the manner or style of” an artist.

“Huile sur toile” or “HST” is “oil on canvas”.

“Huile sur papier contrecollé sur panneau” is “oil on paper attached to a panel”.

“Aquarelle” is a watercolor or gouache.

“Nettoyer” is dirty. I often inquire if there is surface grime on the painting which would require that the painting be cleaned after purchase.

“Craquelure” is is the fine pattern of dense cracking formed on the surface of materials and can be induced by drying, aging, intentional patterning, or a combination of all three.

“Salissures & taches d’humidité” refers to “dirt and moisture stains” which may be present on a lithograph, watercolor or print.

“Déchirure” is a tear which may be present on a canvas, lithograph, watercolor or print.

“Cheveu” indicates a hairline crack on a piece of ceramic.

“Fêles de cuisson” is a cooking crack in a piece of ceramic.

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Finding Shippers in France & Belgium

You found a painting, a piece of ceramic, glass or another decorative art item at an online auction in France or Belgium. You requested and received the condition report and confirmed payment options are satisfactory. The one remaining task before you submit a bid is to identify available shipping services.

There are a few good shipping services in Paris but quotes can vary by 200-500 Euros for similarly sized and weighted items even by the same shipper! Extending into the remote areas of France and much of Belgium (including Brussels) the options are fewer. And in some locations you will not be able to find a shipping service.

If the auction is in Paris I request estimates from at least three shippers due to the significant variation in pricing. I recently purchased a small painting in Brussels and contacted the seven shipping firms that the auction house recommended. Of the seven firms only three provided quotes. The quotes received were between 500 – 1000 Euros which, I felt from experience, were too high. I contacted three shippers in Paris and the best price to ship the same package was less than 275 Euros. Fortunately, the auction house Cornette de Saint-Cyr has locations in both Brussels and Paris and easily arranged to transfer the painting to Paris where I could take advantage of the lower shipping rate.

This is the process I follow to ensure that a) shipping options are available and b) that I obtain the best shipping quote:

Before bidding at on online auction verify that there are viable shipping options:

  1. Does the auction house provide shipping services? If so, can they quote an approximate shipping rate? Is insurance included?
  2. If the auction house does not provide shipping services can they provide a list of shippers?
  3. If the quotes received from the list of shippers are high ask if the auction house has a different location where the piece can be transferred to. (For example, Millon and Cornette de Saint Cyr have auction houses in Brussels and in Paris.) Request a list of shippers from the alternate location to determine if transferring the item provides better shipping options.
  4. Check online or ask nearby auction houses for their list of shippers.
  5. If you cannot find a shipping service and are still intent to bid on the item you may be able to persuade the auction house to pack the item for you. The auction house may be willing to ship via LaPoste in France or Bpost in Belgium which are comparable to the United States Post Service (USPS). Request that the auction house insure the item and pack well in a sturdy box (or double box if the item is fragile). Note: You may not be able to fully insure the items due to limits set by these services.
  6. Another option is to ask the auction house to pack the item as described above. Depending on the location UPS, DHL or FedEx may be able to arrange a pick-up at the auction house and provide full insurance.

Identify payment options. In remote areas the shippers may not take credit card payments or may be unwilling or unable to fully insure packages. You may need to accept less insurance and pay via a wire transfer.

Best Tip: Where possible, always obtain quotes from multiple shippers even from those who typically quote high. You may be pleasantly surprised! Consider all options.

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A Tribute To Frères Mougin

Yesterday, treasured items of French ceramic history were disseminated around the globe. The Arts De L’Ecole De Nancy sale by Cappelaere-Prunaux auctioned ceramics by the gifted Mougin family – Joseph, Pierre, Odile, Bernard and Francois. Dr. Jacques G. Peiffer, distinguished author of several important books on the Frères Mougin is the cited expert for the sale.  In addition to the ceramics, and why (to me) this sale is so very special, is the auctioning of personal memorabilia associated with this renowned family: – Photographs of Joseph Mougin working in the atelier – Intimate family photos – Designs, drawings & paintings by the family – Works by artists closely associated with the family – Victor Prouvé, Gaston Goor, Geo Conde – Several lots of glass photographic plates documenting the ceramic works – Photographs of the important Luneville Faience.

I feel fortunate that I happened to stumble upon this rare event! I purchased my first Frères Mougin vase 25 years ago. It was my introduction to French ceramics: an introduction that has led to an exciting world of exploration and discovery. There will always be a special place in my heart for the Famille Mougin.