RESEARCH NEWS
The Creation of the Salvador Dali Research Center
By Alex J. Rosenberg, Sc.D., AAA, ASA
Chair, Salvador Dali Research Center
In 2007, as a result of the complex environment associated with Salvador Dali's prints, a group of art professionals joined together to form the Salvador Dali Research Center. The organization includes six present and past presidents of the Appraisers Association of America. There are also other experts, including: the former Director of the Salvador Dali Museum; well-known publishers and dealers of Dali's work; a museum curator and author regarding Dali's work; the recognized authority on early Dali prints; and several authorities on various aspects of Dali's life. Our efforts have been focused on attempting to diminish sales of suspect works as well as protect buyers and Dali's reputation (See list below.)
Although there have been fake and unauthorized Salvador Dali prints in the marketplace since the mid-1960's, after the artist's death death, in 1989, the number of specious works increased dramatically. This may be attributed to the fact that a large number of people were involved in Dali's various publishing and printing endeavors. Later on, these associates had the means and motivation to re-create and sell Dali's images.
Research has indicated that, at various times during his lifetime, Dali allowed others to sign works for him. And, some of those who worked closely with Dali had no qualms about actually forging his signature. The result was great confusion; hundreds of inauthentic artworks were seamlessly introduced into the marketplace. Furthermore, many of the images now being offered were not even created by Dali himself. When the prints are unauthorized, the signatures are obvious forgeries too. Other permutations of Dali's work include:
1. Etching plates made by Dali and signed by him;
2. Lithographs made from gouaches made by Dali for the purpose of lithographs and signed by him;
3. Lithographs made from gouache by Dali but signed by others as part of an authorized edition;
4. Overruns signed by others (unauthorized);
5. Prints made from Dali's paintings, not signed by him and unauthorized but sold as authorized;
6. Copies of authorized editions (which are unauthorized);
7. Invented images that are signed by others (unauthorized);
8. Etching plates mainly made by others, signed by Dali;
9. Etching plates made by others and signed by others;
10. Lithographs and etchings made from his drawings, signed by others (unauthorized).
Dali, who was the ultimate self-promoter, cultivated an unrealistic image of himself. He believed that public relations efforts were more important than artistic ability. The result was that teachers, critics, and students paid little attention to him as a serious artist during his lifetime, especially after his break with the Surrealists. The following are two examples from my personal experience with Dali, illustrating his overriding concern with his public image:
When Franco's granddaughter was getting married, Dali gave her a very valuable gift of a Velazquez painting. This surprised me, since one of Dali's major paintings was "Homage to Lenin." When I asked him, how could the painter of "Homage to Lenin" could give Franco's granddaughter a Velazquez, he answered, "Yes, but Lenin is dead." Later, I found out that he and Gala were trying to get a Dali museum, which required Franco's permission. The gift of a Velazquez helped make that happen.
On another occasion, Dali invited me to lunch in Paris and we went to Maxim's. Although he had no reservation, Dali demanded his regular table, which was already occupied. The maitre d' offered Dali another, equally prominent table. Dali went into a rage, demanding his normal table. After unsuccessfully lobbying, Dali stormed out and drove me back to the Hotel Meurice. It was then that I realized that Dali was not interested in having lunch but, rather, in creating a scene at Maxim's. He never again invited me to have a meal.
Anecdotes associated with colorful artists like Dali may help us understand the personality behind the public figure and may offer interesting lessons. However, as professional appraisers we are not directly responsible for authenticating the art submitted to us to value. But, if a work is believed to be a fake or forgery an appraiser should take heed. The United States government has attempted to inhibit the fraudulent representation of Dali's works, which now involved hundreds of millions of dollars in sales, much of which was transacted at outrageous prices aboard cruise ships.
At the time of the formation of the Salvador Dali Research Center, members were dedicated to preventing unscrupulous dealers from exploiting innocent collectors by selling questionable Dali works. (The fact that prices were well above those that would be fair for work known to be authentic added insult to injury.) We also began to create a photo archive of works by Dali that were exhibited during his lifetime. This allowed us to build a database of artworks we could be certain were authentic works produced by the artist and sold by his authorized dealers.
Today, the Salvador Dail Research Center is a 501 (c)(3) tax-free educational foundation with 25 members. We are currently training a number of our members to act as authorities, particularly on Dali's prints, drawings and sculpture. We expect to have several new and qualified authenticators during the next year. In this manner, we will be able to expand the number of cases we will be able to handle.
In the short time we have been in operation, we have examined and issued opinions for about 100 clients, including auction houses and galleries. We have succeeded in helping several clients rescind their purchases of artwork on cruise ships–their payments being returned to them.
As an educational foundation, we only authenticate work submitted to us. We neither do appraisals nor act as dealers. But we will recommend dealers who we believe to be honest should our clients wish to buy or sell Dali's work. Our President is Dr. Paul Cardile, and the Executive Director is Barbara Fischman. Should you or your clients need any assistance regarding work by Salvador Dali–buying, selling, estates, or gifts–please call me at 212-628-0606 and we will try to be of service.
SALVADOR DALI RESEARCH CENTER
MEMBERS
Alex J. Rosenberg, Sc.D., AAA, ASA – Chair; Certified appraiser of 35 years; Dali expert; Former president, Appraisers Association of America
Robert C. Aretz, AAA – Gem Appraiser and Consultant; Graduate gemologist; Certified appraiser in gems and jewelry with expertise in the Cheatham Collection by Dali.
Marion Banks, MA – Appraiser with many years experience in glass and silver.
Paul Cardile, Ph.D., AAA – Certified appraiser and research expert.
Hermine Chivian-Cobb, MA, AAA – Certified appraiser; expert on paintings and drawings, film and theatre.
Michael Cohn – Authority in physical testing
Russell J. Dionne, Ph.D. – Management and Systems Expert
Vivian Ebersman, MA – Director Fine Art of AXA Art Insurance Corp.
Helaine Fendelman, MA, AAA – Certified appraiser and expert on furniture; Former president of Appraisers Association of America
Barbara Fischman, MA, AAA – Certified appraiser and expert on pastel drawings and prints; Former president of the Pastel Society of America.
Jennifer Freeman, Esq.
Roslyn Goldman, MA, AAA – Certified appraiser and recognized print expert; current President of the Appraisers Association of America
Bennet Grutman, CPA
Erica Hartman Horvitz, MBA, AAA – Certified appraiser with expertise in determining value.
Barbara T. Hoffman, Esq. – Recognized legal authority on Intellectual Property
Harmer Johnson, AAA – Certified appraiser; Chair of Ethics Committee of Appraisers Association of America (AAA); Former president of AAA.
Daile Kaplan, AAA – Certified appraiser and expert in photography; Vice president and Director of Swann Galleries.
Clayton Kirking, MLS – Chief of Art Information Resources, New York Public Library
Louis Lauer, Esq.
Peter Lucas – Dali expert
Walter Maibaum – Authority on Post-impressionist, Modern and Surrealist sculpture
Larry Saphire – Dali print expert and catalogue editor
Ann Marie Stock, Ph.D. – Associate Professor of Hispanic Studies, College of William and Mary; authority on Cinema
Charles F. Stuckey, Ph.D. – Curator and Professor of Art at Art Institute of Chicago; expert on Salvador Dali
Edward Sullivan, Ph.D. – Dean of Humanities and Professor of Fine Arts, Institute of Fine Art, New York University
Phyllis Tuchman, Ph.D. – Art historian and critic.
Jane H. Willis, AAA – Certified appraiser and expert in silver; Former president of Appraisers Association of America
