Critical Advice Before Purchasing Dali and Other Art as an Investment!

Authenticating Salvador Dali – Whom Can You Trust?

Without a doubt there is much to be learned and discerned before one plunges headlong into what is easily classified as risky business for the ill-informed. The purchase of art, such as the works of Salvador Dali, Chagall, Miro, and Rembrandt for example, can be attractive when couched in flowery speech by a fast talking salesperson on a vacation cruise or in a less than honest gallery. But wait…before you find yourself in just such a position of being tempted, you must read Authenticating Salvador Dali - Whom Can You Trust?, authored by David Phillips for Fine Art Registry®.

This article begins by outlining the process of authentication and more importantly who does it. Too many instances of confusion in the process have led to frustration and good money spent after bad. First rule that is noted is that authentication definitely precedes the appraisal of the artwork. The truth of the artwork is the basis. Experts exist in many fields concerning originals and graphic works and are recognized by the art industry. The most respected of auction houses use them. The article expands greatly on many points, such as trusting only independent and disinterested experts.

In the case of the original works of Salvador Dali, the Descharnes in Paris, France are the recognized experts they use, as evidenced by letters contained in the article from Sotheby’s and Christie’s. Of this, both respected auction houses are in agreement. The catalogues raisonné of famous artists are carefully prepared listings of all their works, which is another avenue of research, but as the writer points out, they are not always perfect. The experts on Dali, taken from a video interview express their confidence in the catalogue by Albert Field, The Official Catalog of the Graphic Work of Salvador Dalí, a 40 year effort by Mr. Field, and in the current Director of the Salvador Dali Archives Ltd., Frank Hunter.

There is a warning that must be heeded and that is to stay away from self-styled and unreliable so-called experts. They abound and are ready to relieve anyone of their hard-earned money. There are numerous examples of people named in this article that purport to be experts in certain areas, but are nonetheless charlatans at best.

Before investing in any art, I strongly urge you to read this very enlightening and informative article at http://www.fineartregistry.com/. It may just save you from making a very expensive mistake.