The Osceola times., 1882-08-12
SPURIOUS PAINTINGS.
How American Art-C Collectors are Swindled
In Paris.
Cor. Philadelphia Telegraph.

How American Art-C Collectors are Swindled
In Paris.
Cor Philadelphia Telegraph.
Nothing is more common than for an
art amateur to be told in a whisper of
some wonderful painting-a Diaz, a De-
taille, or a Messonnier-that is to be had
very cheap. The owner is gentleman
of high social standing who has gotten
into pecuniary difficulties, and does not
wish any of his Partisan friends to know
that he is parting with one of the gems
of his gallery, so he has put the picture in
the hands of one of the bric-a-brac deal
ers of the Rue de Provence, or the Rue
Lafayette, or elsewhere, to be disposed Of
The American goesto see the work, which
is shown to him with great precautions
and much mystery in back parlor be-
hind dingy little shop. The price ask
ed is well up in the thousands, but still
is far less than the actual worth Of the
painting, had it been genuine. Our coun-
tryman is charmed, and is possibly lurcd
into paving some $1,000 or $1,000 for a
picture that could be duplicated at the
Hotel Drouot on any auction day for Sl5,
including the frame.
There are also picture stores in Paris
where nothing but forgeries of the more
famous modern masters are sold. know
such a one, where an American gentle
man was on the point of purchasing a
landscape, said to be by Diaz, for $500.
Fortunately, being wise and wary gen.
tleman. he took noted American art
dealer who chanced to be at that time in
Paris, to see the painting. This gentle
N n
gerv. Addressing the shopkeeper, he
asked him if he were willing to guarantee
the picture as genuine Diaz The an
swer was in the affirmative. Then
will buy it," quoth the American dealer,
"but on one condition, namely, that you
get from one of the great art experts OF
Paris, George Petit, Brame or Durand
Ruel, certificate as to its genuineness."
This the man positively refused to do,
saving, sullenly, that his word was suffi-
cient. "Your world" quoth hisadversary.
"Why ] do not know you or your stand
ing in the art world at all. Moreover, if
the picture you are now trying to sell is
real Diaz, you could readily dispose of
it for five times the sum that you now
ask. II is forgery and you know it, and
consequently it is not worth the hire of a
cab to take it home"
In another instance a gentleman was
offered q supposed water-color by Detaille
at very moderate price. On investiga-
ton the so-calcd watcr-color turned out
to be a painted photograph. Then |
heard of third case, wherein an Ameri-
can art-coilector bought several pictures
from an Englishman. Soon after he had
them hung in his gallery, he happened TO
invite q well-known art dealer OF New
York to dine with him. He showed him
his gallery and was particularly anxious
to have his guests opinion of his later
purchases. Three of your pictures are
forgeries," was the answer, and the paint
ings in question were promptly designa-
ted, much TO their possessors horror.
But" continued Mr.. X, 81 do not
want you to consider my dictum as final.
Send for Petit or Brame or any other of
the great experts of Paris, and learn their
opinions on the subject NJ. Petit was
sent for and unhesitatingly declared that
the three pictures in question were for
geries, worth presumably about $50 apiece.
The price paid for the three was $1,000!
Another more complicated and adroit
style of procedure is as follows: The art
dealer will prowl around amongst the
studios of famous artists till he comes
across picture by one or the other of
them, work that has been for some
cause or other unpopular, and compara-
tive failure. This he secures at moder-
ate price, say $1,000. He sends II to an
auction sale at the Hotel Drouot. He and
confederate attend the sale and bid the
picture up 20 5000, Withdrawing it, and
paying all expenses as having bought it
in. A second time this process Is gone
through with, and the painting attains
price Of $1,000. Then the story finds its
denouement The picture dealer seeks
picture purchaser, and finding one who
is a novice in such matters, he will tell
him of great bargain that he has on
hand-an important work by the great
painter So-and-so. 1t was bought for
$4,000 by gentleman who has since had
losses on the Bourse, and who would like
to dispose of it for good deal less than
he gave for it. If Mr.. Greenyankee
would like to buy it, he can doubtless get
it for him for about $1,000, The painting
is displayed, and the records of the two
auction sales are shown. Mr.. Greenyan-
kee offers 5000 for the picture, there is
some hesitation and delay, and some ne
gotiations with the unknown and myth
cal owner, and the sale is concluded and
the little plot is success.