In many industries, it was taboo to find two groups of people for a job, as it would make the other party feel doubtful.
However, this was not the case in art appreciation. Generally, a precious work of art would need to be appraised by more than three authoritative appraisal agencies.
This had something to do with the buyer. There were so many buyers around the world, and they could not trust the same appraisal agency. Some trusted one agency, and some trusted another. In order to get a good price, it was best to have both agencies appraised.
Roger helped Li Du contact more comprehensive people. Both appraisal agencies were very authoritative. One was a commercial auction house, and the other was a museum that specialized in collections. Basically, all buyers could accept the final appraisal results.
The experts from both agencies knew each other. When they met, they shook hands and exchanged greetings.
"Ha, Professor Kevin, it's so nice to meet you here. Shall we go for a drink after the appraisal results are out?"
"Of course, Mr. Sanders is here too? The last time we met in New York is still fresh in my mind. "
"Dr. Sugri, it's a pleasure to meet you. Please sit down."
These people were very enthusiastic, but their enthusiasm was directed at each other. Li Du, as a customer, did not receive any attention, which was not very justifiable.
However, Li Du had a good temper. He was just a little dissatisfied, but he did not show it on his face.
After the greetings, both parties sat down. Dr. Kevin, the oldest among them, said, "Mr. Li, I think you can take out the oil paintings now, but before the appraisal, I have something to say. Is that okay?"
"Whatever," Li Du said as he drank his coffee.
Dr. Kevin knocked on the table with his finger and said, "According to Mr. Roger, you want to appraise Van Gogh's Beach in Scheveningen, which was created in 1882, and Leaving the Church in Nuenen, which was created between 1884 and 1885."
"Yes."
Dr. Kevin smiled bitterly and said, "These two paintings were stolen about forty years ago. Since then, a lot of 'The Beach of Scheveningen' and 'Leaving the Church of Nuenen' appeared on the market. So, I hope you're prepared."
Li Du understood what he meant and asked, "You suspect that these two paintings are fake, right?"
Sanders, an expert who worked at the Los Angeles Art Collection Center, replied, "Perhaps they are high-quality replicas. It is difficult to tell whether they are real or fake. People will always misunderstand."
Li Du smiled and said, "I understand. Go ahead and appraise them. I will accept any result."
The experts looked at each other and gestured for Li Du to open the oil painting. They began to work.
The reason why Roger had invited two groups of experts was also because there were two paintings. It was just right for them to be separated. Each group would be responsible for one painting and then exchange their opinions.
The appraisal of oil paintings was a simple yet complicated matter. It was simple because if it was a fake, then the experts only needed to find a loophole to determine the result.
However, if this oil painting was real, it would be difficult to give an appraisal result. Experts would need to examine and verify it from all aspects before they could come up with a conclusion.
The work appraised by the auction house was "The Beach of Scheveningen". This work used thick lines and bright gold to depict the roaring, turbulent sea before a storm. It was very imposing.
When the oil painting was opened, the experts gasped when they saw what it was.
A famous artist was, after all, a famous artist. Van Gogh was able to lead the oil painting trend for more than a century not because everyone was hyping him, but because his oil paintings did have an extraordinary charm.
On the canvas, the painting showed a magnificent scene. The experts had seen many authentic Van Gogh works and fakes. With just one look, they had a feeling that this could be a real painting!
The art industry paid a lot of attention to feelings, or a sixth sense. Outstanding veteran experts would first follow their feelings when looking at a piece of art.
If they felt that it was a fake, they would look for loopholes. If they felt that it was real, they would go in the direction of the real work.
Dr. Kevin carefully looked at the lines of the painting with a magnifying glass and said, "The colors of the oil painting are bold enough. The lines are detailed and stiff, with the style of Japanese prints. The portrait does not have the standard 'three-dimensional sense of reality,' which is in line with the characteristics of Van Gogh's paintings...
"The canvas is rough, damaged and worm-eaten. The surface is stained with small grains of sand. The sand is embedded in the canvas and has merged with it. It is obvious that it has been there for a long time...
"According to historical records, Van Gogh stayed on the beach of Scheveningen, near The Hague, when he was painting. He had to resist the raging sea wind while painting. A lot of the blowing sand and moisture hit the painting, eventually leaving behind..."
Three of the four experts were appraising the painting. One of them was recording the painting they were talking about. Among the three experts, Dr. Kevin used a magnifying glass to observe, Dr. Sugri examined the canvas and paint, and the last one used a small machine to scan the painting.
As the appraisal began, the expressions of the two groups of experts became more and more serious, no longer as frivolous as they were now.
Li Du understood that the two groups of people did not take him seriously just now because they thought that his painting was a fake and thought that he was a fool who wanted to get rich overnight.
The appraisal went on for two and a half hours. Li Du learned from the experts, although he did not understand the jargon they used and could not keep up with their ideas.
However, he did learn something that would definitely help his career development.
The Los Angeles Art Collection Center was the first to come out with a result. The oil painting expert, Saunders, looked at him in shock and said, "God, this' Leaving the Church of Nuenen 'is real!"
Li Du smiled. "That's great, but it's not a surprise. I know they are real. Real paintings can always be distinguished at a glance."
Saunders and his colleagues took out an appraisal report from their bags and began to write down their appraisal results. Then they signed and stamped the report.
After another quarter of an hour, the appraisal results from Christie's were also out. The four of them looked equally surprised.
Professor Kevin said, "Mr. Li, after our appraisal and consultation, we unanimously believe that this painting of yours is real. You have found a world-famous painting that has been lost for nearly half a century!"
Li Du said, "I'm so lucky. This is really something to be happy about."
Both sides did not dare to underestimate him anymore. Their attitude toward him changed drastically. They called him "Mr. Li" and bowed when they spoke, using honorifics.
Next, they exchanged two paintings and continued with the appraisal, which took more than two hours.
However, both sides did not feel tired. Instead, they became more and more energetic and excited.
For people like them who loved art and oil paintings, being able to appraise world-famous paintings was a kind of enjoyment. It was also a good opportunity to improve their skills and accumulate experience.
You've already exceeded your reading limit for today. If you want to read more, please log in.
Login
Select text and click 'Report' to let us know about any bad translation.
