Treasure "of Degas' sculptures can be fake

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"Treasure" of Degas' sculptures can be forged

The international community was excited about art critics question the authenticity of a set of 74 plaster sculptures by Edgar Degas, knows where seized late last year, after almost a century since the death of the artist. If it is decided in favor of the authenticity of works, critics say The Art Newspaper, a collection of sculptures can be considered one of the largest finds of the XXI century in the art world.

The reasons for such a high evaluation of several. Here is the first of them. Until now, the sculpture Degas was known in three persons. First, it is the wax originals, restored and for the most part stored in the National Gallery of Art in Washington. Secondly, in 1919, two years after his death, in the studio Gebrara (Hebrard) with the wax models were cast bronze sculptures (now they are in the Norton Simon Museum in California). All other versions of Degas statues, which are in many museums and private collections in the world, are just copies of sculptures made Gebrarom; them cast in 1919-36 and again in 1955-64, respectively. Thus, the plaster work found in the case of recognition of their authenticity, will be the only statuettes by Degas, cast on the basis of wax models during the life of the artist.

The second reason. The sculptures, cast in bronze by Gebrara models are, in fact, copies of copies; strain at the ready them for about 2 percent. In turn, bronzes cast from gypsum found, should be more accurately render the appearance of the original - and therefore more expensive cost. Already signed a contract in which 73 out of 74 found statuettes will be reproduced in bronze in the 29 copies. One of these bronze "set" has already produced and valued at approximately $ 20 million, when multiplied by 29 we get 580 million.

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Apart stands the plaster "Little Dancer", the most famous sculptures by Degas and an unconditional masterpiece. The value of this product says at least that one of its variants made with models Gebrara, in February 2009 was sold at Sotheby's for 13.3 million pounds (about $ 20 million). It is reported that Leonardo Benatov (Leonardo Benatov), former owner of gypsum "treasure" which preserved its Degas in secret, in the late 1990's could not resist and made 46 bronze versions of "Dancers". Each of them, as they say, was sold about two million dollars.

Finally, it is essential that the newly found "Dancer", as well as other images, in some detail from the bronze sculptures by Degas, which were known before. Art critics know that during the life of the artist reworked the wax model of his sculptures. Proponents versions of authenticity plaster casts suggest that they were made from the original, has not altered the sculptor of wax originals. Thus, they reflect an earlier stage of conception of the artist and are especially valuable.

Where did plaster casts? Benatov claims that they were kept in a locked room Foundry Valsuani (Valsuani), which he bought in 1981. To learn how to work proved to be a Valsuani, you can speculate. It is possible that the casts from wax originals 1887 to 1912 produced a close friend of Degas the sculptor Paul-Albert Bartolomé (Paul-Albert Bartholome); indication of this, in particular, read in one of his letters Degas. After the death of Bartolome in 1928 casts were to go to his wife, who in 1955 was placed in a psychiatric hospital, where she died four years later. According Benatova, one of the employees of the foundry workshop, now deceased, told him that the plaster images in 1955 Valsuani brought Albino Palazzolo (Albino Palazzolo), the main caster Gebrara. Thus, the history of wax is built outwardly plausible, but provenance is not well documented, and therefore the question of authenticity is especially acute.

In 2004 Benatov showed his treasure art dealer Walter Maybaumu (Walter Maibaum). "For me it was like that to open the tomb of Tutankhamen or the Chinese terracotta army," - shared his impressions Maybaum. In 2007, he bought 73 of the cast (except for gypsum "Dancers", which has already been sold in 2005) and created a company Degas Sculpture Project Ltd. She signed a contract to manufacture 29 sets of bronze. Part of plaster originals then Maybaum sold, leaving himself only 22 cast.

In late November 2009-the first art dealer, introduced new Degas, cast in bronze, at the exhibition in Athens. In late March, due to open exhibition of sculptures by Degas in Tel Aviv, another set of bronze images in 2011, will leave for North American tour. Among other cities that have expressed strong interest in such exhibitions - Sofia, Thessaloniki, Prague and St. Petersburg. Director of Museums in Tel Aviv and New Orleans were so confident in the authenticity of works that have already booked themselves to recruit a Degas Sculpture Project Ltd. The press called and the names of collectors who have ordered kits sculptures.

In 74 casts before everything sculptural works by Degas, known earlier. This is - one of the main arguments in favor of the authenticity of the plaster set: forgers to create a forgery would have to have access to all the bronze copies of works by Degas, but this is unlikely.

Nevertheless, the main experts on creativity Degas remain silent. Some forbidden to speak museums in which they work, the reason that the sculptures were traded on the art market. Others may fear lawsuits, or simply do not want to show the uncertainty or controversy among the experts suggest journalists. January 19 in New York was discussion among art historians, but the results of the discussion has not been formally imposed on the public. Nevertheless, representatives of the media was able to speak with one of the participants, minded skepticism. In his opinion, plaster casts could be made in the past few decades with the forms used in the workshop Gebrara.

Maybaum deplored the fact that specialists skeptics refused to make his views openly. However, this step is explained to the other party to discuss the question of authenticity, also refused to call himself. According to him, the experts unanimously agreed that the plaster casts - not something for which they issue, and considered it prudent not to get involved in unnecessary debate, and to give an authoritative opinion gradually penetrate the market. "Let the plant itself will collapse under its own weight," - said an art critic.
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