How to Identify the Authenticity of Ancient Chinese Paintings ?
By Fei Gao on Nov 07, 2023
To help novice collectors in the field of ancient Chinese painting avoid pitfalls and reduce the possibility of making mistakes, YiBoJun has specially summarized some simple methods for identifying the authenticity of ancient Chinese paintings. This is to prevent the current situation where fake ancient Chinese paintings are rampant in the painting market. We hope that these methods and suggestions can be helpful to collectors in identifying ancient Chinese paintings.
The antique appraiser Zhao Ruzhen once said that to identify ancient Chinese figure paintings, you should observe the expressions and gestures of the figures, the flowers and fruits should be observed for their dewdrops in the wind, and the birds and animals should be observed for their realistic spirit.
For landscape paintings, you should observe the tranquility and seclusion of the mountains, forests, and springs, the depth of the houses, the coming and going of bridges, the old and moist rocks, the clear and bright water, the steep mountains, the falling springs, the coming and going of clouds and smoke, the winding paths, the bending pines, the bamboos hiding in the wind and rain, the clear water at the foot of the mountain, and the clear source of the water. Such paintings are masterpieces even if they are not known to be from a certain artist.
If the figures look like corpses or sculptures, the flowers and fruits are like those in a vase, the birds and animals only take their fur, the mountains, forests, and springs are arranged in a cramped manner, the pavilions are blurred and cluttered, the bridges are forced to break, the scenery has no ups and downs, the roads have no access, the rocks have no three-dimensional effect, the trees have no branches leaning forward and backward, or the high and low are not appropriate, the distance is not distinguished, the shades are not appropriate, the dotting and dyeing are not in order, or the foot of the mountain floats on the water, and the water source has no source, even if the signature is from a certain master, it is definitely a fake.
In summary, we can refer to the following methods when identifying the authenticity of ancient paintings:
1. Identify the materials: Ancient paintings are usually made on silk or paper, and they often use natural pigments. If the painting is made of modern materials, it is likely to be a fake. For example, if the painting is made with chemical pigments, the colors will fade or darken over time.**
2. Identify the style: Ancient paintings have their own unique style and techniques. If the painting does not match the style of its claimed period, it is likely to be a fake. For example, if the painting's style does not match the style of the artist it is claimed to be from, it is likely to be a fake.**
3. Identify the inscriptions: The inscriptions on ancient paintings are usually written by the artist himself or by other qualified people. If the style of the inscriptions does not match the style of the painting, it is likely to be a fake. For example, if the style of the inscriptions does not match the style of the painting, it is likely to be a fake.**
4. Identify the seals: The seals on ancient paintings are usually stamped by the artist himself or by other qualified people. If the shape of the seals does not match the style of the painting, it is likely to be a fake. For example, if the date of the seal does not match the date of the painting, it is likely to be a fake.**
5. Identify the provenance: The provenance of an ancient painting, or its ownership history, can be a valuable clue to its authenticity. If the painting has a clear and documented provenance, it is more likely to be a real painting.**
6. Seek professional advice: If you are unsure of the authenticity of an ancient painting, it is always best to consult with a professional appraiser. An experienced appraiser can provide a professional opinion.**
