Elena Rossi
Ettore Ted DeGrazia was an American impressionist painter, sculptor, composer, actor, director, designer, architect, jeweler, and lithographer. DeGrazia's paintings are known for their focus on Native American children of the American Southwest and other Western scenes. DeGrazia is also the world's most reproduced artist, with his paintings often replicated and sold as originals. To determine whether a DeGrazia painting is real, one can examine the painting under magnification, where a reproduction will have dots. Other ways to identify an original DeGrazia painting are to look for a certificate of authenticity or COA, and to examine the signature, which in originals will not be flat or underneath the paint surface.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Technique | DeGrazia was a master of the palette knife technique, which he learned from artists such as Orozco, Rivera, and Van Gogh. |
| Signature | DeGrazia's signature is usually found in the lower right corner of the painting. |
| Medium | DeGrazia worked with oils, watercolors, sketches, ceramics, and bronze sculptures, but his main focus was oil painting. |
| Subject Matter | DeGrazia's paintings often depict Native American children of the American Southwest and other Western scenes. |
| Authenticity | A certificate of authenticity can be purchased from the DeGrazia Gallery in the Sun. |
| Reproduction | DeGrazia was known for reproducing his paintings in various media, including limited-edition lithographs, watercolors, color art prints on paper, and canvas. |
| Magnification | A reproduction will have dots that can be seen under magnification. |
| UV Exposure | The colors in canvas transfer prints may have faded due to UV exposure. |
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What You'll Learn
Look for lithographic printing dots under magnification
DeGrazia was a master at commercially producing reproductions of his work, and he is known as "the world's most reproduced artist". He was also skilled in a variety of media, including limited-edition lithographs, watercolours, colour art prints on paper, and canvas.
One way to determine whether you have an original DeGrazia painting or a reproduction is to look at it under magnification. A reproduction will have lithographic printing dots, which can be seen under a high-powered magnifying glass. These dots are characteristic of lithography, a printing process in which an artist uses a greasy crayon or liquid to draw an image on a slab of limestone. The stone is then wiped with a solution that allows the greasy image to pick up ink, while the blank areas repel ink and pick up water.
When examining a DeGrazia painting under magnification, you may also notice a lack of correlation between the textured brush strokes and DeGrazia's characteristic palette knife strokes. In addition, the colours in some reproductions may have faded due to UV exposure, particularly from unfiltered sunlight.
It is worth noting that even experts may find it challenging to authenticate a DeGrazia painting based solely on images or descriptions. A close inspection of the signature, for instance, can be crucial in determining whether a work is an original or a reproduction. Therefore, it is always recommended to seek the expertise of professionals, such as appraisers or art dealers, when evaluating the authenticity of a DeGrazia painting.
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Check for brush strokes versus palette knife strokes
When it comes to DeGrazia's paintings, it is important to distinguish between brush strokes and palette knife strokes. DeGrazia was known for his predominant use of palette knife strokes, which can be identified by examining the painting under magnification. A close inspection may reveal lithographic printing dots and a lack of correlation between the textured brush strokes and the palette knife strokes.
Palette knives are made of thin steel blades fixed onto wooden handles and come in various shapes and sizes. They are used to apply paint to a canvas, creating a variety of marks, textures, and effects. One advantage of using a palette knife is that you don't need to dilute the paint with a medium, resulting in more vibrant colours. Palette knives can also create thin, broken lines that appear very natural in a painting. By loading the edge of the knife with paint and dabbing it onto the canvas, artists can achieve sharp lines and crisp, ruler-straight lines.
On the other hand, brushes are synonymous with painting and are highly versatile. They allow for more accuracy and control than palette knives. Brushes can be used for scumbling, a technique where paint is dragged loosely over an underpainting to create variance in texture. Brushes are also superior for blending colours, as they produce softer edges compared to the rough and scattered edges created by palette knives.
Some artists choose to use both brushes and palette knives in their work. They might block in the painting with a brush and then add palette knife strokes on top, or vice versa. This combination can create an interesting interplay between delicate and bold strokes. However, it is essential to ensure that the different techniques complement each other and that the painting remains harmonious overall.
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Examine the signature
Examining the signature is a crucial step in authenticating a DeGrazia painting. DeGrazia, or Ted DeGrazia, as he was often known, signed many of his works, and the presence of a signature can be a strong indicator of authenticity.
When examining the signature, it is important to look at the placement and style of the signature. DeGrazia often signed his works in the lower right or lower left corner of the canvas. So, if you find a signature in one of these locations, it could be a positive sign. However, it is important to note that the absence of a signature in these locations does not necessarily mean the painting is not authentic, as not all of DeGrazia's works were signed.
It is also essential to pay attention to the style and technique of the signature. DeGrazia's signatures can vary, but they are typically written in a legible style. If the signature appears to be written in an unusual or inconsistent manner, it could be a cause for concern. Additionally, if the signature is very flat and appears to be underneath the paint surface, it may indicate that the signature was added after the painting was created, which could suggest that it is a reproduction or a print.
Comparing the signature on your painting to known examples of DeGrazia's signature is also a valuable step. You can find examples of his signature on auction websites, in books, or by contacting art experts or galleries that specialise in his work. By comparing the shape, style, and characteristics of the signatures, you can gain valuable insight into whether your painting's signature aligns with his typical signing practices.
Finally, it is worth noting that a signature alone may not be sufficient to authenticate a DeGrazia painting fully. While it is an essential factor to consider, it should be assessed in conjunction with other factors, such as the painting's style, subject matter, and overall condition. Combining these factors and seeking the opinion of art experts can provide a more comprehensive understanding of your painting's authenticity.
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Check for UV degradation
To check for UV degradation, you can use ultraviolet fluorescence to examine the painting. This involves projecting a UV band of light onto the painting's surface and observing how some areas illuminate while others remain dark. This is due to the physical phenomenon of ultraviolet fluorescence, where certain substances absorb invisible UV rays and reflect them as visible light.
When examining a DeGrazia painting with UV light, you can observe the various layers of varnish and identify their composition, amount of overlap, and homogeneity. A lesser homogeneity may be due to irregular application or removal interventions. By gradually reducing the thickness of the varnish layer, you can check for underlying varnish layers, spots of glue, or other materials from previous interventions.
It is important to note that ultraviolet fluorescence alone cannot conclusively determine the age of a painting. Some materials develop strong fluorescence even before they are completely dry, and there are methods to accelerate the deterioration process artificially. However, an old painting that does not show any fluorescence under UV light may indicate the presence of layers of dirt, pigments, or other materials embedded in the varnish that block UV radiation. In such cases, thinning the varnish layer can help judge the fluorescence of the underlying paint.
The use of a longwave ultraviolet lamp in the 365-390 nanometer range is recommended for inspecting artwork. At 365 nm, many materials absorb ultraviolet energy and emit visible coloured light, making it easy to distinguish between fluorescent and non-fluorescent areas. This technique can reveal alterations such as overpainting, repairs, and floating signatures that may be invisible in daylight.
Additionally, UV light can help identify the medium used in previous restoration work. For example, oil paints and acrylics can be differentiated with a chemical test, while watercolour repairs can vary in colour. A masking varnish used to hide restoration work can also be detected due to its ability to absorb UV frequency and its greasy surface.
When examining a DeGrazia painting for UV degradation, it is important to note that the artist often worked with various media, including lithographs, watercolours, colour art prints, and canvas transfer prints. These reproductions may have faded over time due to UV exposure, especially from unfiltered sunlight. Therefore, it is recommended to keep such prints away from direct sunlight and illuminate them with UV-filtered light to prevent further degradation.
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Verify the subject matter
DeGrazia was a prolific artist, experimenting with all forms of artistic expression, from oils and watercolours to sketches, ceramics, and bronze sculptures. His main focus was oil painting, and he was particularly skilled in the use of a palette knife. DeGrazia's paintings vary in subject and style, but there are some common themes that can help verify the subject matter of an original DeGrazia.
DeGrazia's early work focused on the dark side of the Mexican Revolution, the poor peasants of Mexico, and the Indians of the Southwest. He often depicted Native American children of the American Southwest and other Western scenes, including the Sonoran desert. DeGrazia's work was influenced by his trips to Mexico and through the American Southwest, where he observed rituals and traditions that inspired his art. He was also interested in painting angels, which proved popular with buyers.
Some of DeGrazia's most famous paintings include "The Flower Boy", "Los Niños", "The White Dove", "The Sunflower", "Serenity", and "Indian Wagon". DeGrazia also painted several series of exhibitions, including the Papago Legends, Padre Kino, and Cabeza de Vaca.
In addition to his paintings, DeGrazia created politically-charged murals, such as one painted on a University of Arizona interior wall c. 1944, which depicted the lives lost in World War II and the corporate influence on the educational system.
When verifying the subject matter of a DeGrazia painting, it is important to consider the common themes in his work, his style, and the context in which the painting was created. DeGrazia's work was often influenced by his travels and observations of different cultures and traditions. His early work was more serious in nature, while his later work became more impressionistic and focused on speed, movement, and energy.
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Frequently asked questions
DeGrazia was a prolific artist and his work was widely reproduced. The simplest way to determine if you have an original is to look at it under magnification. A reproduction will have dots. DeGrazia's canvas transfer prints, produced in the 1970s, are often mistaken for originals. A close examination with a magnifying glass will reveal lithographic printing dots.
DeGrazia experimented with all forms of artistic expression, from oils and watercolours to sketches, ceramics and bronze sculptures. His main focus was oil painting. He is known for his colourful images of Native American children of the American Southwest and other Western scenes. DeGrazia also painted several series of exhibitions like the Papago Legends, Padre Kino, Cabeza de Vaca and Los Niños.
You can get a DeGrazia painting authenticated by sending photos and details to an expert. An expert will be able to tell you if the painting is an original or a reproduction. You can also purchase a certificate of authenticity for a work that you own.
