How can I learn more about this painting?
June 14, 2010 9:08 AM Subscribe
Is this old print/painting we've found worth anything? How might I find out?
So upon buying a house, the original owner spoke of a painting that he had hanging on the wall and he gave a bit of a vague story about it coming from China during a time when Westerners weren't allowed in. He also mentioned having taken it somewhere to be framed, and the person who framed it was incredulous that he had it.
Seems fishy, and I know this thing is probably just a regular print, but I have absolutely no idea how to tell and I'm a bit caught up in the mystery of it.
The painting is here, these are just phone photos unfortunately:
http://i.imgur.com/870EB.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/Jh1cL.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/9tSYr.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/bVq4t.jpg
The very generous jstarlee provided this information:
"by Wang Qui, one of the most prominent artists in the Qing Dynasty. Some of his paintings are now stored in museums all over the world (Paris and New York).
This painting is called 桃花漁艇圖 "Peach Blossom and Fishing Boat". Based on the story "Peach Blossom Spring", like the Chinese version of Utopia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tao_Hua_Yuan
(not a whole lot of info on the english page)
Here's the wiki for the artist
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wang_Hui_%28Qing_Dynasty%29
The real artwork resides in the National Palace Museum in Taiwan I believe."
My question is, what's next? Is there any way to find out if this is a significant reproduction, a regular crappy print, or anything else? I live in Toronto, Ontario, is there somewhere I can take this to have it looked at?
Any telltale signs of this being nothing more than a print?
So upon buying a house, the original owner spoke of a painting that he had hanging on the wall and he gave a bit of a vague story about it coming from China during a time when Westerners weren't allowed in. He also mentioned having taken it somewhere to be framed, and the person who framed it was incredulous that he had it.
Seems fishy, and I know this thing is probably just a regular print, but I have absolutely no idea how to tell and I'm a bit caught up in the mystery of it.
The painting is here, these are just phone photos unfortunately:
http://i.imgur.com/870EB.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/Jh1cL.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/9tSYr.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/bVq4t.jpg
The very generous jstarlee provided this information:
"by Wang Qui, one of the most prominent artists in the Qing Dynasty. Some of his paintings are now stored in museums all over the world (Paris and New York).
This painting is called 桃花漁艇圖 "Peach Blossom and Fishing Boat". Based on the story "Peach Blossom Spring", like the Chinese version of Utopia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tao_Hua_Yuan
(not a whole lot of info on the english page)
Here's the wiki for the artist
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wang_Hui_%28Qing_Dynasty%29
The real artwork resides in the National Palace Museum in Taiwan I believe."
My question is, what's next? Is there any way to find out if this is a significant reproduction, a regular crappy print, or anything else? I live in Toronto, Ontario, is there somewhere I can take this to have it looked at?
Any telltale signs of this being nothing more than a print?
Response by poster: I know it's a stupid question. I just haven't gotten anything appraised, or know where to start. Should I just google "art appraisal" and take it wherever?
Does it usually cost a bunch to get stuff like this appraised?
posted by geodave at 10:05 AM on June 14, 2010
Does it usually cost a bunch to get stuff like this appraised?
posted by geodave at 10:05 AM on June 14, 2010
Best answer: You don't say where you are (Canada?) but the Appraisers Association of America has a db to help you find an appraiser, and it includes Canadian appraisers. Here's some additional info. that may be helpful, and this also.
posted by gudrun at 10:11 AM on June 14, 2010
posted by gudrun at 10:11 AM on June 14, 2010
Response by poster: My post says I'm in Toronto =) I'll check that list, thanks a ton.
posted by geodave at 10:22 AM on June 14, 2010
posted by geodave at 10:22 AM on June 14, 2010
(ah Toronto, yes you did say that, sorry. In my defense I've had no food yet today and have only had lots of "vanilla" flavored barium for a CT scan, so my reading comprehension could be better. The first and last links do include Canadian resources; hope it helps.)
posted by gudrun at 10:47 AM on June 14, 2010
posted by gudrun at 10:47 AM on June 14, 2010
Best answer: Call Waddingtons or another auction house and make an appointment for an appraisal. They should have someone on staff or available that specializes in Chinese art.
posted by gyusan at 12:22 PM on June 14, 2010
posted by gyusan at 12:22 PM on June 14, 2010
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posted by Lizsterr at 9:56 AM on June 14, 2010