An appraiser purported to be a “Certified Appraiser by the Appraisers Association of America” in 1994 commented “the brush strokes, the painting texture and the draftsmanship consistent with Rockwell’s technique. The type of faces and expressions are typical of his characters in other paintings as well”.
In spite of the reality that the painting was NOT RECORDED in Rockwell’s archives, the appraiser continued “In my opinion, (it) is an original by Norman Rockwell with all the humor and artistic quality that Rockwell created in all his works”.
The painting was later determined to be an illustration for a Mobil Oil advertisement by Harold Anderson, titled Patching Pants. Someone had painted Rockwell’s signature over Anderson’s signature.
Value difference was determined to be $20,000, if by Anderson versus over $1 million if by Norman Rockwell.
Unless an appraiser is the leading authority on a particular artist, the appraiser’s opinion of an artwork’s authorship has little credence in the art world. The appraiser is expected to interface with the leading authority, when an element of the painting’s authorship is in question. As Rockwell’s archives did not chronicle the painting, due diligence mandates an effort on the part of the appraiser to find support outside of the appraiser’s personal opinion.
Whether an appraiser is certified, accredited or knighted, that individual needs to seek verification outside of his/her personal belief.
Corinne Cain, ASA, Accredited Senior Appraiser, Personal Property/ Fine Arts & American Indian Arts