Maurice Utrillo - Oil Painting Authentication

Chateau de Blois
by Maurice Utrillo
b. 1883 Monmarte
quarter Paris, France








Suburban Street Scene
by Maurice Utrillo
b. 1883 Montmarte
quarter Paris, France









Marizy Sainte-Genevieve
by Maurice Utrillo
b. 1883 Montmarte
quarter Paris, France.







I received an email the other day with this question:
How can I identify a "real" Maurice Utrillo?

This is my response to the query:

The authenticity of a Maurice Utrillo oil painting, is best evaluated by a fine art appraiser. Many copy artists can successfully copy the style of great works of art. But many factors come into play such as the forensics; the age of and composition of oil paint, canvas, and signature of the artist when authenticating an original work of art; such as a Maurice Utrillo.

To detect or confirm fraudulent art, the modern expert has at his or her command, in addition to the aesthetic and critical criteria brought to bear, a wide array of scientific aids. These include standard chemical analysis; dating (of organic materials) by measuring the residual radioactivity of carbon 14; and examinations made with the use of optical instruments, X rays, and infrared red and ultraviolet light.

Maurice Utrillo is one of the most copied artists. Museums and collectors prefer authentic works - i.e. works that were produced during the artists life by the artist - authenticity is potentially a problem in every art transaction.

Since many of his Utrillo's oil paintings are out of reach for many art enthusiasts; hand painted oil reproductions remain a viable and affordable solution.

~ Art Diva of PaintingsToGo.com