German Historian Reattributes Renoir Print Previously Labeled a Forgery
A rare test print once dismissed as a fake is now confirmed as authentic.
1Discovery of Misidentified Print
German art historian Henry Keazor has reattributed a work on paper to Pierre-Auguste Renoir that was previously dismissed as a forgery. The piece was acquired during a 2023 household clearance from a private collector. The owner had inherited the item in the 1970s from a former New York gallery owner who labeled it fake.
2Role of Forgery Study Collection
Keazor founded the Heidelberg Forgery Study Collection, a unique collaboration with state criminal investigation offices in Berlin, Bavaria, and Baden-Württemberg. The collection provides students at the University of Heidelberg with access to 140 known forgeries. This hands-on environment allows researchers to study techniques used by counterfeiters to deceive the global art market.
3Correcting the Medium Error
The initial misclassification stemmed from the work being incorrectly identified as a pencil drawing. Upon inspection, Keazor immediately recognized it as a print. Subsequent microscopic and paper structure analyses confirmed the piece was a lithograph. These technical investigations were essential in overturning the decades-old assumption that the artwork was a fraudulent imitation.
4Authenticating the Hand-Signed Work
Research revealed the signature was applied by hand using black grease chalk, distinguishing it from standard mass-produced prints. The work depicts actor and singer Amelie Diéterle and dates back to approximately 1899. This discovery highlights how technical analysis can resolve long-standing provenance disputes regarding works previously relegated to the status of forgeries.
5Connection to Germinal Portfolio
The print matches a piece Renoir created for the artist portfolio Germinal, which featured works by Degas, van Gogh, and Toulouse-Lautrec. While the standard edition of 100 prints featured signatures printed directly onto the paper, this specific version contains a handwritten signature, indicating it served as a unique test print for the collection.
6Significance of Test Prints
Keazor explains that the piece was a test print created using only one of the two necessary printing stones. Because the signature was located on the second stone, Renoir added it manually, effectively validating the proof as an authentic work. Such test prints remain exceptionally rare and provide valuable insights into historical printing processes.
7Upcoming Public Exhibition Details
The authenticated Renoir lithograph will be showcased at the Kurpfälzisches Museum in Heidelberg. The exhibition, titled Riddle around Renoir, is scheduled to run from November 26 through March 21. This public display offers art enthusiasts a rare opportunity to view a piece that was once discarded as a worthless, fake pencil drawing.
8Future Ownership and Legacy
Following the conclusion of the exhibition, the HeFäStuS and the previous owner will determine the long-term future of the print. This case serves as a reminder of the importance of rigorous scientific examination in art history. It demonstrates how modern analytical methods can successfully restore the reputation of works previously deemed illegitimate.
Original article: ARTnews — German Historian Reattributes Renoir Print Previously Labeled a Forgery