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Frida Kahlo Panel Formed |
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| Mary-Anne
Martin/Fine Art is pleased to announce that, in order to deal with the increasing
number of authenticity questions on works by Frida Kahlo arising in recent years a
committee has been formed to address these issues. Known as The American Panel on Kahlo
Research, the committee consists of Dr. Hayden Herrera, the well-known
biographer of Frida Kahlo and author of several books and articles on this artist, and Mary-Anne
Martin, founder of the Latin American Department at Sotheby’s and expert in the
Mexican Paintings field for twenty years. Dr. Ramon Favela, Professor of Art
History at the University of Southern California at Santa Barbara, who is preparing the catalogue
raisonné on Diego Rivera and who is also frequently consulted on Kahlo questions has
agreed to serve as a consultant to the panel, "when a third pair of eyes is
required." The need for the formation of this panel has become crucial, as more and more fakes are appearing on the market now that the value of works by this artist, which are very rare, has increased. Collectors, dealers and auction houses frequently consult with these three experts separately, taking up a great deal of their time and often obliging them to consult with each other on an informal basis. The experts decided to formalize the situation in order to organize their time and add to the body of Kahlo scholarship as well. A few genuine works have turned up among all the fakes and they should be documented. Although this panel will not have any legal status in determining which works are legitimate and which should be kept off the market, the panel members hope that responsible individuals will respect the committee’s opinion and not continue to circulate questionable works. Currently, the same fake paintings are offered again and again, always setting off a new round of questions to the experts. For example, last year Martin was offered the same fake painting three times in four months, each time from a different country. Herrera and Favela were also consulted on this painting during the same period. There will be no charge for the panel’s expertise, although a contribution to the Bide-a-Wee Animal Shelter will be requested. The panelists feel that, because of her great love of animals, Kahlo would have approved. |
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