Showing posts with label provenance. Show all posts
Showing posts with label provenance. Show all posts

Jul 16, 2020

How to Track the Falsification of Provenance?


False provenance is a feature of Nazi looted art. How to track multiple versions of provenance texts over time and identify, classify and analyse "errors"? 


We begin by listing some of the most frequently observed "errors".


Types of "errors" observed in provenance texts of Nazi looted art, forced sales and duress sales:



Provenance Error TypeDescription
NameOmittedreal owner name omitted
NameAddedfake owner name inserted
WrongDateincorrect date
WrongPlaceincorrect place
WrongSellerincorrect identification of seller
WrongBuyerincorrection identification of buyer
WrongDealerincorrect identification of the dealer or intermediary
WrongTransactionincorrect representation of the nature of the transaction
WrongStoryincorrect represention of the sequence of events
NameMispelledmispelled name
Otherother


Who authored and published the errors? Who financed the research and publication? When? In what context? These elements can be described in the metadata of the provenance text.


Provenance text metadata suggestions


Provenance Text MetadataDescription
PublisherName and URI of the person or organisation that published the provenance text
Type of publicationbook, article, catalogue raisonné, website, other
PublicationTitle, identifier
AuthorName and identifier of the individual who wrote the provenance (or if this is not available, the insitution)
PayerName and identifier of whoever ordered or paid for the writing of the provenance
Date of publicationDate the version was published
Versiona number indication the version of the provenance
URL to Provenance TextIf published online, the url 
Archived URLURL to the provenance version on a specific date (important because online provenance changes)
Archive dateDate of the archived URL
Artwork the provenance describesTitle and identifiers for the artwork described (url, accession number)
Noteworthycircumstancessignificant events that may help explain the particularities of the version
Known to contain errorsY/N (if yes, refer to error type)
Other

A look at sources

Provenances cite source documents. Who wrote the sources cited? Who published them, when - and why? What new information did they introduce? Have any problems of accuracy already been identified in the source document?
One cannot assess the reliability of a provenance text without verifying the reliability of the sources it cites.


Provenance Source Cited Metadata Suggestions




Provenance Source MetadataDescription
Date source cited was publishedOriginal publication date of the source cited
Author of source citedAuthor of the source cited.
Publisher of source citedName and ID of the publisher of the source cited.
Reliability of source citedHave any false provenances been found in the source cited?
New information introduced by source citedDid the source cited introduce a new name, date, place, explanation? Which?
First citation of source citedName and ID of the first publication to cite the source cited 
Payer of source citedName and ID of the person or organization that financed the publication of the source cited
Uncertainty of source citedDoes the footnote refering to the source cited contain a ? or words like probably, likely, possibly indicating uncertainty or speculation?
Contemporaneous?Y/N
Red Flag on Author or Publisher?Y/N Is the author, publisher or payer of the source publication on the ALIU Red Flag list of Names from 1946?
Holocaust Claim?Y/N Does the name of the author, publisher or payer appear in any legal documents connected to a Holocaust art claim?


What has already been done in tracking provenance errors? How can these be coded? Provenance errors, like potato chips, rarely stop at just one.
To be continued....



Potato-Chips
photo by Evan-Amos / Public domain

Jan 22, 2020

Private collections: Albertina Museum, Vienna

A selection of Provenance texts that contain the word "privat" in the online database of paintings and sculptures at the Albertina Museum in Vienna:

ArtistTitleDateInventory numberProvenance
Alexej von Jawlensky (Torschok (Gouv. Twer) 1864 - 1941 Wiesbaden) Mädchen mit Blumenhut1910GE52DLHelene von Jawlensky, Wiesbaden; M. Olchansky, Montreux; Ferdinand Näscher, Zürich; Privatbesitz, New York; Leonard Hutton Galleries, New York (laut Koella/Billeter 2005)
Amedeo Modigliani (Livorno 1884 - 1920 Paris)Weiblicher Halbakt1918GE85DLLeopold Zborowski, Paris; Galerie Bing & Cie, Paris; Sammlung Sabonrand; Sammlung René Gaffe, Brüssel; Paul Rosenberg & Co., New York; George Friedland, Merion Station/PA; Privatbesitz Schweiz; Galerie Beyeler, Basel (laut Koella/Billeter 2005)
Anton Faistauer (St. Martin (Salzburg) 1887 - 1930 Wien)Blumenstillleben1918GE243DLPrivatbesitz Wien; 61. Kunstauktion im Kinsky, Wien, 21. November 2006, Lot 85 (laut Koella, 2012)
Augusto Giacometti (Stampa (Bergell) 1877 - 1947 Zürich)Im Garten: Friede1915GE45DLA. L. Vischer-von-Bonstetten, Basel; Galerie Beyeler, Basel; Arthur Stoll, Arlesheim/Corseau; Privatbesitz Schweiz; Auktion Galerie Kornfeld, Bern, 17. Juni 2005, Lot 42 (laut Koella, 2012)
Claude Monet (Paris 1840 - 1926 Giverny)Der Seerosenteichum 1917 - 19GE87DLMichel Monet, Giverny; Privatbesitz Griechenland; Galerie Beyeler, Basel (laut Koella/Billeter 2005)
Claude Monet (Paris 1840 - 1926 Giverny)Das Haus in den Rosen1925GE88DLMichel Monet, Giverny; Mme Berr de Turique, Paris; Galerie Beyeler, Basel; H.E. Smeets, Weert (Holland); Sammlung J.E. Smeets, Weert (Holland); Galerie Beyeler, Basel; Privatbesitz New York; Galerie Beyeler, Basel (laut Koella/Billeter 2005)
Cuno Amiet (Solothurn 1868 - 1961 Oschwand)Der Hausbau1908GE11DLPrivatbesitz Schweiz; Salis & Vertes, Salzburg (laut Koella/Billeter 2005)
Edvard Munch (Løten bei Hamar (Norwegen) 1863 - 1944 Ekely)Winterlandschaft1915GE89DLPrivatbesitz Norwegen; Privatbesitz Liechtenstein; Galerie Beyeler, Basel (laut Koella/Billeter 2005)
Emil Nolde (Nolde (Schleswig) 1867 - 1956 Seebüll) Wald1909GE91DLDr. Richard Hessberg, Essen; Privatbesitz Bolivien; Georg Schäfer, Schweinfurt; Privatbesitz Zürich; Galerie Neher, Essen; Galerie Haas, Vaduz (laut Koella/Billeter 2005)
Erich Heckel (Döbeln 1883 - 1970 Radolfzell)Liegende1909GE374DLBesitz des Künstlers (bis 1964); Privatsammlung Düsseldorf; Sammlung Henriette Dell-Werner, Wien (laut Koella, 2012)
Ernst Ludwig Kirchner (Aschaffenburg 1880 - 1938 Frauenkirch bei Davos)Bahnhofseinfahrt: Bahnhof Löbau1911-1912GE406DLGalerie Neue Kunst Hans Goltz, München; Dr. Karl Lilienfeld, Berlin und New York; 1932; Stuttgarter Kunstkabinett, Stuttgart 1957; Graf Rüdiger von der Goltz, Düsseldorf 1958; Privatsammlung, Deutschland 1976; Dresdner Bank, Frankfurt 1976; Privatbesitz 1986; Sotheby's Genf
Ernst Ludwig Kirchner (Aschaffenburg 1880 - 1938 Frauenkirch bei Davos)Nackter Jüngling und Mädchen am Strand1913GE57DLvNachlass des Künstlers; Privatbesitz Düsseldorf; Dr. Donn D. Beeman, Hollywood; Galerie Art Focus, Zürich (laut Koella/Billeter 2005)
Catalogue
Ernst Ludwig Kirchner (Aschaffenburg 1880 - 1938 Frauenkirch bei Davos)Zwei Akte im Raum1914GE57DLrNachlass des Künstlers; Privatbesitz Düsseldorf; Dr. Donn D. Beeman, Hollywood; Galerie Art Focus, Zürich
Catalogue
Fernand Léger (Argentan 1881 - 1955 Gif-sur-Yvette) Zwei Profile1928GE74DLGalerie Simon, Paris; Galerie Louise Leiris, Paris; Curt Valentin Gallery, New York; Raoul Lévy, Paris; Edmond de Rothschild, Paris; Privatbesitz Genf; Galerie Beyeler, Basel (laut Koella/Billeter 2005)
Georges Rouault (Paris 1871 - 1958 Paris)Pierrot1939GE111DLGalerie Vollard, Paris; Sam Selz, Inc., New York; Edwin E. Hokin, Chicago; The Art Institute, Chicago; Hussein Pacha, Villefranche; Privatbesitz, Paris (laut Koella/Billeter 2005)
Henri Lebasque (Champigné (Maine-et-Loire) 1865 - 1937 Le Cannet)Mädchen in einer Mittelmeerlandschaftum 1907 - 10GE72DLKunsthandel, Paris; Privatbesitz Lyon; Galerie Rämi, Zürich (laut Koella/Billeter 2005)
Henri Lebasque (Champigné (Maine-et-Loire) 1865 - 1937 Le Cannet)Auf der grünen Bank, Sanary1911GE73DLMarthe Lebasque (Tochter des Künstlers); Privatbesitz Frankreich; Richard Green, London; Privatbesitz; Auktion Sotheby’s New York, 4. Mai 2006, Lot 180 (laut Koella, 2012)
Henri Matisse (Le Cateau Cambrésis 1869 - 1954 Cimiez bei Nizza)Das gestreifte Kleid1938GE82DLPaul Rosenberg, London; Galerie Rosengart, Luzern; Riccardo Jucker, Mailand; Privatbesitz, New York; Galerie Beyeler, Basel (laut Koella/Billeter 2005)
Joan Miró (Barcelona 1893 - 1983 Palma de Mallorca) Vögel und Insekten1938GE83DLPierre Matisse Gallery, New York; James Butler, New York; Henry Clifford, Radnor/PA; Galerie Rosengart, Luzern; Privatbesitz Italien; Galerie Beyeler, Basel (laut Koella/Billeter 2005)
Johannes Itten (Süderen-Linden 1888 - 1967 Zürich)Lichtkreis1915GE50DLNachlass des Künstlers; Privatbesitz Zürich; Galerie am Lindenplatz, Vaduz (laut Koella/Billeter 2005)
Catalogue
Kazimir Malewitsch (Kiew 1878 - 1935 Leningrad) Birkenhainum 1905 - 06GE79DLNachlass des Künstlers; Privatbesitz; Galerie Gmurzynska, Köln (laut Koella/Billeter 2005)
Kazimir Malewitsch (Kiew 1878 - 1935 Leningrad) Mann in suprematistischer Landschaftum 1930 - 31GE80DLNikolai Chardhziew, Moskau; Privatbesitz; Galerie Gmurzynska, Köln (laut Koella/Billeter 2005)
László Moholy-Nagy (Bácsborsód (Ungarn) 1895 - 1946 Chicago)Ungarische Felderum 1919/1920GE152DLPrivatbesitz; Sammlung Forberg
Bibliography
Lyonel Feininger (New York 1871 - 1956 New York)Die Lokomotive mit dem großen Rad1910GE37DLNachlass des Künstlers; Privatbesitz New York; Galerie Gmurzynska, Köln (laut Koella/Billeter 2005)
Lyonel Feininger (New York 1871 - 1956 New York)Promenade in Arcueil1915GE38DLNachlass des Künstlers; Marlborough Fine Art Ltd., London; Saul P. Steinberg, New York; Privatbesitz; Galerie Gmurzynska, Köln (laut Koella/Billeter 2005)
Marianne von Werefkin (Tula (Russland) 1860 - 1938 Ascona) Sturmwindum 1915 - 16GE132DLD. Hagmann, Küsnacht; Privatbesitz Deutschland; Galerie Art Focus, Zürich (laut Koella/Billeter 2005)
Maurice de Vlaminck (Paris 1876 - 1958 Rueil-la-Gadelière)Die Seine bei Chatouum 1906/07GE130DLGalerie de Seine, Paris; Leopold Starkmann de Féltorony, Vallauris; Sammlung Mme Bonaglia, Paris; Peter Matthews, London; Galerie Beyeler, Basel; Privatbesitz Monte Carlo; Galerie Beyeler, Basel (laut Koella/Billeter 2005)
Max Beckmann (Leipzig 1884 - 1950 New York)Frau mit Katze1942GE14DLV. Schnitzler, Murnau; Privatbesitz New York; Galerie Beyeler, Basel (laut Koella/Billeter 2005)
Max Pechstein (Zwickau 1881 - 1955 Berlin) Meererzählung1920GE143DLPrivatsammlung Deutschland (?); Stuttgarter Kunstkabinett; Galerie Motte; Genf; Sammlung Forberg
Bibliography
Max Pechstein (Zwickau 1881 - 1955 Berlin) Iris im Abendschatten1925GE95DLRegierungsrat Dr. Teutsch; Privatbesitz Schweiz; Auktion Galerie Koller, Zürich, 4. Juni 2002, Lot 28 (laut Koella/Billeter 2005)
Max Peiffer Watenphul (Weferlingen bei Helmstadt 1896 - 1976 Rom) Stillleben mit rotem Mohn1929GE270DLPrivatbesitz Österreich; Galerie Welz, Salzburg (laut Koella, 2012)
Michail Larionow (Tiraspol (Moldawien) 1881 - 1964 Fontenay-aux-Roses bei Paris) Durch das Maschennetz, Badende1904GE312DLSammlung E. Rubin, UDSSR; Privatbesitz Paris; Galerie Gmurzynska, Zürich (laut Koella, 2012)
Natalia Gontscharowa (Nagaewo, bei Tula (Russland) 1881 - 1962 Paris) Die blaue Kuh
Series / Cycle
Teil des neunteiligen Polyptichons "Weinlese" 1911
um 1911GE46DLGalerie Paul Guillaume, Paris; Sidney Simon, Paris (Geschenk der Künstlerin 1958); Leonard Hutton Galleries, New York; Privatbesitz; Galerie Gmurzynska, Köln (laut Koella/Billeter 2005)
Nikolai Suetin (Kaluga 1897 - 1954 Leningrad) Frau mit Kreuz1928GE122DLNachlass des Künstlers; Privatbesitz; Galerie Gmurzynska, Köln (laut Koella/Billeter 2005)
Catalogue
Oskar Kokoschka (Pöchlarn 1886 - 1980 Villeneuve)Ansicht von Vernet-les-Bains1925GE61DLGalerie Paul Cassirer, Berlin; Galerie M. Goldschmidt, Frankfurt a.M.; Galerie Georg Caspari, München; Galerie Paul Cassirer, Berlin; Amsterdamsche Kunsthandel P. Cassirer, Amsterdam; Elmer Rice, New York; Marlborough Gallery, New York; Privatbesitz Schweiz; Privatbesitz Süddeutschland; Galerie Thomas, München (laut Koella/Billeter 2005)
Oskar Kokoschka (Pöchlarn 1886 - 1980 Villeneuve)Im Garten II1934GE64DLlaut WV Kokoschka: Josef Zadra, Krivinná bei Mährisch-Ostrau; [Dr. Vondraček, Mährisch-Ostrau]; Privatbesitz, Mährisch-Ostrau; Christie's, London (15.10.1995, Nr.162 mit Farbabb.); Kunsthandel Martin Suppan, Wien (2004); Herbert Batliner, Vaduz
Pablo Picasso (Málaga 1881 - 1973 Mougins) Die Spielkarten1912GE98DLGalerie Kahnweiler, Paris; Privatbesitz Berlin; Richard Doetsch-Benziger, Basel; Galerie Beyeler, Basel (laut Koella/Billeter 2005)
Paul Klee (Münchenbuchsee 1879 - 1940 Muralto)Ähnlich wie 49 (Revier eines Katers)1919, 50GE151DLLily Klee, Bern; Klee-Gesellschaft, Bern; Galerie Rosengart, Luzern; Galerie Jeanne-Bucher, Paris; Tom A. Noonan, Wiesbaden/Washington; Burg Lauenstein, Bayern; Mrs. Norman, Washington; Marisa del Re Gallery, New York; Privatbesitz; Sammlung Forberg
Paul Klee (Münchenbuchsee 1879 - 1940 Muralto)Das Märchen von den beiden Fischen1937, 187 (T 7)GE137DLPrivatbesitz Bern; Galerie Rosengart, Luzern; Sammlung Forberg
Paul Signac (Paris 1863 - 1935 Paris)Venedig, die rosa Wolke (Ankerplatz bei der Giudecca)1909GE117DLGalerie Bernheim-Jeune, Paris; August Deusser, Düsseldorf; Privatbesitz Tokyo; Auktion Sotheby’s New York, 13. Mai 1998, Lot 19 (laut Koella/Billeter 2005)
Paul Signac (Paris 1863 - 1935 Paris)Antibes, die Türme1911GE118DLGalerie Bernheim-Jeune, Paris; Pierre Baudin, Paris; Sammlung Guetta, Paris; Sammlung Baudoin, Paris; Privatbesitz Genf; Galerie Marcel Bernheim, Paris; Privatbesitz Kanada; Auktion Christie’s New York, 3. Nov. 2004, Lot 34 (laut Koella/Billeter 2005)
Paul Signac (Paris 1863 - 1935 Paris)Antibes, Gewitter1919GE119DLLéon Marseille, Paris; Willy Dubois, Bruxelles; Bernheim-Jeune, Paris; Gaston Lévy, Paris; Privatbesitz; Auktion Sotheby’s London, 9. Feb. 2005, Lot 447 (laut Koella/Billeter 2005)
Pawel Filonow (Moskau 1883 - 1941 Leningrad) Oktoberformelum 1921GE39DLEwdokia Nikolajewna Glebowa, Leningrad; Privatbesitz; Galerie Gmurzynska, Köln (laut Koella/Billeter 2005)
Pawel Filonow (Moskau 1883 - 1941 Leningrad) Ohne Titel (Kopf)um 1925 - 30GE40DLEwdokia Nikolajewna Glebowa, Leningrad; Privatbesitz; Galerie Gmurzynska, Köln (laut Koella/Billeter 2005)
Catalogue
Pierre Bonnard (Fontenay-aux-Roses 1867 - 1947 Le Cannet)Grauer Akt im Profilum 1933GE16DLPrivatbesitz Paris; Galerie Beyeler, Basel (laut Koella/Billeter 2005)
Raoul Dufy (Le Havre 1877 - 1953 Forcalquier)Das Guéridon, Rue Séguier1909GE396DLSammlung Josefowitz, Pully/Schweiz; Sammlung Gallibert, Paris; Privatbesitz Amsterdam; Galerie Gmurzynska, Zürich (laut Koella, 2012)
Raoul Dufy (Le Havre 1877 - 1953 Forcalquier)Meeresstillleben1925GE204DLPrivatbesitz Paris; Galerie Beyeler, Basel (laut Koella/Billeter 2005)
Théo van Rysselberghe (Gent 1862 - 1926 Saint-Clair)Sitzender Akt1905GE127DLHenri-Edmond Cross, Saint-Clair (Var); Privatbesitz Belgien; Galerie Salis, Salzburg (laut Koella/Billeter 2005)
Wassily Kandinsky (Moskau 1866 - 1944 Neuilly-sur-Seine) Große Fontäne im Nymphenburger Park1901 - 03GE54DLMarianne von Werefkin, Ascona; Alexander von Werefkin, Zürich; Privatbesitz Süddeutschland; Galerie Gunzenhauser, München; Neumeister Kunstauktionshaus, München (laut Koella/Billeter 2005)
Wassily Kandinsky (Moskau 1866 - 1944 Neuilly-sur-Seine) Innerer Bund1929GE55DLSammlung Möller, Basel; Robert Brest, Buenos Aires; Acquavella Galleries, New York; Privatbesitz; Thomas Ammann Fine Art, Zürich (laut Koella/Billeter 2005)
Wilhelm Kohlhoff (Berlin 1893 - 1971 Schweinfurt)Blumenstilllebenum 1920GE294DLPrivatbesitz Zürich (laut Koella, 2012)
Catalogue

Questions for university students majoring in art history or taking a course in provenance research, in particular of the Nazi period 1933-1945


1) Which names appear frequently in provenances that also contain the word "privat"?
2) What do you know about these names? 

  • Are any of the names Jewish collectors who were persecuted by Nazis from 1933-1945? 
  • Are any of the names individuals who were flagged for involvement in the Nazi era art trade  by the Art Looting Investigation Unit in their 1945-6 Red Flag List of Names?
  • Have any of the names appeared in lawsuits or claims for restitution in any capacity? (claimants, defendants, individuals involved in the ownership history?) If so, which?
  • Are there any patterns that you can detect in studying these provenances grouped together?
  • Of the 51 artworks presented in this list, which FIVE should be the top priority for further provenance research? Why? Which FIVE should be the lowest priority for further provenance research? Why?
  • The above list represents a very small selection of artworks from the Albertina museum, paintings created before 1945 which entered the museum's collection after 1933 and which contain the word "privat" in the provenance text. What other kinds of selections do you think are important to make in order to identify priorities for further provenance research? Why?