Art Attribution

At Rupert Bond Fine Arts, we source original fine works of art from a range of preferred reputable industry sources across the UK. We purchase from collectors, professional auctioneers, expert dealers and from fine art fairs among many other art outlets. We use the standard professional definitions for attribution of works of art to their respective artists. It is important that as a potential purchaser you understand the words used to describe attribution, which we describe for you below.

Attribution of any work of art takes time and expertise. One cannot simply trust a subject or signature to attribute a composition, therefore effort, training and expertise are required to ensure that a work is attributed correctly. The vast majority of historical works of art we sell have already been through a number of expert hands including ex-top auctioneers, art historians and collectors and we offer attribution where it has been clearly ascribed. Ultimately however, attribution is a combination of educated opinion and trusted provenance.

“John Constable
– a work by the artist without any qualification.

Attribution qualifications:

“Attributed to John Constable”
– probably a work by the artist in whole or in part.

“Studio of John Constable/workshop of John Constable”
– a work executed in the studio or workshop of the artist, possibly under his supervision.

“Circle of John Constable”
– a work of the period of the artist and showing his influence.

“Follower of John Constable”
– a work executed in the artist’s style but not necessarily by a pupil.

“Manner of John Constable”
– a work executed in the artist’s style but of a later date.

“After John Constable”
– a copy (of any date) of a work of the artist.

“J**** C**stable”
– a work by an artist without literary reference or auction record

“SIGNED/DATED/TITLED”
– the work has been signed/dated/titled by the artist.

“BEARS SIGNATURE/INSCRIBED”
– the signature/inscription appears to be by a hand other than that of the artist.