Elizabeth Taylor - up a Hals, down a Modigliani?
October 5 2011
Picture: Architectural Digest
Yesterday saw the news that Elizabeth Taylor had a previously unknown Hals portrait in her collection. But today we find that her Modigliani (lower right, above) is in doubt. Is part of the problem the seemingly vice-like grip over Modigliani 'expertise' by our old friends the Wildensteins? From the LA Times:
When asked about the painting... Christie's Americas head Marc Porter said it was not appearing in a Christie's sale.
"There is a great controversy in the Modigliani authentication world because Restellini and Wildenstein are supposed to be producing new catalogue raisonné."
"So many collectors of her generation have bought Modiglianis that in this time period can't be authenticated," he added. "There are dozens of Modiglianis waiting to be established."
