Over the years, I have seen many fake paintings being offered for sale, but the number has skyrocketed in recent times. There are so many ‘new’ auction rooms using these online platforms to sell paintings. The problem is that most of these “new” auction rooms are not actually real serious auction rooms. They are just people who have created an ‘auction room’ so they can sell stuff online.
The other day, I received an email from one of the online websites stating that seven Edouard Léon Cortès paintings were coming up for sale. I looked at the photos and was shocked. Two of them were from the 1968-69 period and were of poor quality. One was in a “Manner of”, and the other four were not real! Below are the works that are being offered:
This one was catalogued as Edouard Leon Cortes (French, 1882 – 1969), “Cafe de la Paix”, Oil on Canvas. Signed lower right. Well, it is pretty obvious that this is an Antoine Blanchard.
Another one was catalogued as Edouard Leon Cortes (French, 1882 – 1969), “La Rue Tronchet et la Madeleine”, Oil on Canvas. Signed lower right. You can probably tell that this is also an Antoine Blanchard.
Over the years, we have seen several works like this. Some individuals, back in the day, removed the Antoine Blanchard signature and added Edouard Cortès’. The reason? Edouard Léon Cortès’ paintings were selling for more than the Antoine Blanchards.
Then there was this one cataloged as Edouard Cortes, L’Avenue de Champs Elysees, Signed Oil Painting. The page also included this: All items sold as is.
Another auction room is offering a very similar work, but it bears the artist’s real name: Andre Boyer. Again, the odds are that the original seller removed Andre Boyer’s name from the painting and replaced it with Edouard Cortès’ name to sell it for a significantly higher price.
Oh, and among the 7 Edouard Léon Cortès paintings featured, one was catalogued as an Antoine Blanchard. I’m not sure why it was included with the Cortès works.
Antoine Blanchard, “Paris Street Scene”, Signed Oil on Canvas. One signed oil painting on canvas by Antoine Blanchard (French, 1910-1988). Here’s the problem with this one: it’s a fake!
And if you would like to see what the really late ones look like, here you go!
Edouard Leon Cortes (1882-1969 French) ”Boulevard de la Bastille Sous la Neige’ – dates from 1968.
Edouard Leon Cortes (French, 1882 – 1969), “Place de la Republic en la Neige” – this one dates from c. 1969. Another poor quality example of his work.
And here is the Manner of!
It is signed Edouard Cortès, but at least the auction room realized it was a fake!
It is essential that, before an auction room or dealer offers something for sale, they contact known experts to obtain an opinion on the authenticity of the work. As I have always said, the art world is a jungle, so find the right guide before you become someone’s next meal!