Is a Certificate of Authenticity ( COA) 100% Reliable?

A Certificate of Authenticity (C.O.A.) is often seen as a guarantee of an artwork's authenticity, but in reality, it is rarely 100% foolproof.

Liability of an art authentication certificate

Here are the key considerations:

1. Provenance: Direct Purchase from the Artist

The only way to have near-absolute certainty is if:

• You bought the artwork directly from the artist.

• The artist issued the C.O.A. personally.

• You also have a bill of sale or a document proving it was a gift.

2. Certificates Can Change Over Time

Even if an artwork comes with a C.O.A., its validity may be questioned later due to several factors:

• Expert Opinion Can Shift:Experts may change their evaluations over time. For instance, a renowned Parisian expert for Eugène Boudin once revoked authentication of a painting he had cataloged 30 years earlier.

• Expert Succession:If the original certifying expert has passed away, the new expert might not uphold the certificate. For example:

  • Jean Grouin, who issued C.O.A.s for André Lhote, is no longer considered the sole authority. The recognized expert today, Mrs. Berman-Martin, has invalidated many of Grouin’s certifications.

• Appropriate Certification:Some artists require specific experts to validate their work. For Amedeo Modigliani, Ambrogio Ceroni authenticated only 337 paintings during his lifetime. Other experts, such as Christian Parisot and Marc Restellini, have faced controversies or halted projects due to fraud accusations and threats.

3. Certificates Issued by Galleries

Not all gallery-issued C.O.A.s are equally reliable:

• Reputable Galleries:High-standing galleries often work with the officially recognized experts for certification, especially if they have a history of exhibiting the artist. Even then, requesting the original certificate is critical. Scandals, like the Knoedler Gallery forgery case, underscore the risks—even with established institutions.

• Other Galleries:Certificates from lesser-known galleries hold little to no value. Without an updated certificate from the sole recognized expert, such C.O.A.s are essentially meaningless.

Best Practices When Buying Art

1. Always verify that the C.O.A. comes from the officially recognized expert for the artist.

2. Request an updated certificate, especially if the artwork will be resold in the future.

3. Make the sale contingent on the provision of a valid, recognized C.O.A.

The art market is complex and fraught with risks, so due diligence is essential to protect your investment.

www.vwart.com. art expert