Art and authenticity
By: edited by Megan Aldrich and Jos Hackforth-Jones ; with essays by Megan Aldrich [and eleven others]
Contributors: Lund Humphries; Sotheby's (Firm). Institute of Art
Publisher: Lund Humphries; Sotheby's Institute of Art
Published: 2012
Place of publication: Farnham, UK; Burlington, Vt; London; New York
Language: eng
Number of pages: 208
ISBN-13: 9781848220980
Subjects: Expertising; Philosophy; Art; Forgeries
Description: Art and Authenticity explores a range of questions around the ideas of authenticity, originality and replication in art. The authors move far beyond the fundamental question of 'Is it genuine?' to themes and definitions surrounding authenticity as a concept operating across different periods and contexts. The chapters consider empirical aspects of art analysis but also more conceptual and theoretical understandings of authenticity. For example, is there such a thing as authentic presentation and display of artworks? Can the idea of authenticity be applied to subject-matter and style? How do the art market and the art world respond to the perceived authenticity of artworks? This book addresses a wide range of topics within the arts and will appeal to a broad readership, from students and art specialists to art-world enthusiasts. Historically, the idea of scientific verification has arisen as a reaction against the perceived excesses of the connoisseurial tradition, a tradition which has fallen from favour over the last 50 years. The idea of individual 'expert knowledge' rests uneasily in the current climate. However, recent attempts by experts to develop definitive scientific methods for authenticating artworks are also proving to be problematic. Connoisseurship, it will be argued, still has its role to play within these debates. Therefore, through the broad range of artworks and perspectives developed within this volume, the book suggests that although the concept of authenticity is not without validity or usefulness, it nonetheless poses a continually moving target within the frameworks of varied cultural and historical constructs. The authors challenge a narrow interpretation of 'authenticity' as a concept applied to the art world, for the issues surrounding authenticity are rarely black and white.
Notes: Includes bibliographical references and index.
Table of contents: title: pt. 1.; title: Material authenticity. -- 1.; title: Attribution and the market  -- David Bellingham ; -- 2.; title: A dialogue of connoisseurship and science in constructing authenticity  -- Morgan Wesley ; -- 3.; title: A Venetian sixteenth-century costume book as an authentic visual record  -- Sophie von der Goltz ; -- 4.; title: The authenticity of traditional crafts  -- Noël Riley ; -- 5.; title: Acquiring and displaying replicas at the South Kesington Museum  -- Barbara Lasic ; -- 6.; title: Authentic the second time around? :; title: Eduardo Paolozzi and reconstructed studios in a museum environment  -- Bernard Vere -- pt. 2.; title: Conceptual authenticity. -- 7.; title: Authenticity, originality, and contemporary art  -- Anthony Downey ; -- 8.; title: Issues of authenticity in contemporary design  -- Lis Darby ; -- 9.; title: Creating an authentic style :; title: John Soane's gothic library at Stowe  -- Megan Aldrich ; -- 10.; title: "Authentic" identities :; title: cross-cultural portrayals in the late eighteenth century  -- Jos Hackforth-Jones ; -- 11.; title: Passing the buck  -- Jonathan Clancy ; -- 12.; title: National authenticity on display? -- Natasha Degen.