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| Robert Irwin "Boats" c. 1950 Oil/board |
[Edited April 16, 2015] A
reader discovered this painting of boats at a Santa Barbara garage
sale two years back. After leaving the garage sale, she could not
stop thinking about it – and returned to buy it for $150.
Upon
seeing that the painting was signed ‘Irwin,’ I was eager
to discover its worth. Initially it was thought to be an early painting by the very famous minimalist California artist is
named Robert Irwin (1928-). Thanks to some reader comments (below), there is some suggestion it is actually a work by Irwin Brown.
Robert
Irwin is best known
for his abstract canvases often depicting lines and dots. He
experiments with visual perceptions of color and light. He is
primarily a painter but also a sculptor using fluorescent
installations. Therefore, the style is not consistent with Robert Irwin's work.
In
consulting auction records, Robert Irwin’s
work has sold for as much as a million dollars with most works
selling for $50,000-$100-000. Recently Clar's auction house sold three paintings attributed to Robert Irwin -- with a very similar signature and style to "Boats." They sold for approximately $1,000.
The
lack of a strong market value is based on the fact that an
atypical work would not be desirable to collectors of Robert Irwin’s
typically minimalist work. There are two abstract 1950s works
currently going to auction that are estimated to sell between
$30,000-$40,000.
The question is: does this painting have any value? I always tell my appraisal clients to remember that value is based on many factors. An official appraisal is based on market comparables and takes into account the artist, as well as condition, size, authenticity, provenance, and the current economy. An appraiser also has to consider the style for which an artist is best-known and collected.
The question is: does this painting have any value? I always tell my appraisal clients to remember that value is based on many factors. An official appraisal is based on market comparables and takes into account the artist, as well as condition, size, authenticity, provenance, and the current economy. An appraiser also has to consider the style for which an artist is best-known and collected.
Appraisers do not authenticate works. We value them based on an informed assumption they are indeed what they are said to be. Because of this, I hesistate to value this work as a Robert Irwin piece. If “Boats” is indeed a work by Robert Irwin it would be very valuable. If the artist was found to be someone else, the value would be based on an entirely different set of auction records and gallery prices.
Retail
Replacement
Value is defined as the highest amount in terms of US dollars that
would be required to replace a property with another of similar age,
quality, origin, appearance, provenance, and condition with a
reasonable length of time in an appropriate and relevant market. When
applicable, sales and/or import tax, commissions and/or premiums are
included in this amount..
Alissa Anderson Campbell is
an art appraiser for Anderson Shea Art Appraisals. She specializes
in appraising European and American art for insurance, resale value,
estate, tax, and charitable donation.
Campbell
is a member of
the
Appraisers Association of America (USPAP-compliant).
Ph. 805.616.2781/www.andersonshea-artappraisals.com
*
This is not considered a formal appraisal. An appraisal is a legal
document, generally for insurance purposes, written by a qualified
expert who has examined the artwork in-person and is paid for by the
owner of the item. An appraisal involves an extensive amount of
research to establish authenticity, provenance, composition, method
of construction, and other important attributes of a particular
object. This article is restricted-use
and is intended for educational
purposes only.
I just found a painting at a thrift store with an identical signature and similar technique. I am afraid that after some digging, these paintings are not by Robert Irwin but by an artist named Irwin Brown who also lives in San Pedro. A search on the address of the business card on the back (2179 Grandeur, San Pedro) shows the property belonging to Irwin Brown and his wife. I was only able to find photos of two other pieces of his, both Judaica, but the technique and style is similar although the signature is cursive on the one piece where it can be seen, not block. I'm not 100% sure yet - but about 90% so far. Oh well! :(
ReplyDeleteSo who is the correct artist? I have an original IRWIN depicting a house on a hill with the same technique.
ReplyDeleteTrying again, sorry if this is a double post.
ReplyDeleteAfter a lot of digging there's no doubt in my mind that the artist is Irwin Brown of San Pedro, CA, who is still alive and creating art. There are a couple of current listings on eBay with the same signature:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Judaica-Original-Signed-Painting-Jewish-Hebrew-Art-by-Irwin-of-California-/281181259949?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4177b588ad
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Mid-century-Oil-Painting-signed-IRWIN-landscape-Children-Coastal-wall-art-LG-/221702151911?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item339e7a5ee7
The painting I have, a portrait of a man with a child on his shoulders, has the same dry-brushing and palette as the painting in the first listing, and you can see the same technique in the landscape posted in the article.
Hi Meghan,
ReplyDeleteAlthough I'd prefer it to be an early irwin of another name, i have 2 of the same paintings. one of a house on a hill - great perspective. the second is a larger painting with 2 kids and what seem to be an adult looking atop a dune. That one has great texture and washed. Same artist. bought in Ann Arbor Mi in the 90s.
I purchased a 6"x6" oil on board by Robert Irwin and am curious of its worth. I currently have it posted on eBay for $25,000 but I'm unsure if this is way too high or somewhat low for an early work from this artist.
ReplyDeleteThank you.. Karen
I own a dozen early Irwin Brown paintings with his signature IRWIN in the lower corner which I bought at an Art Fair at Hollywood Bowl in 1965. I treasure each of them and have refused offers of sale over the years because I consider them enduring works of art. I enjoy them every day of my life and I'm 91.
ReplyDeleteI bought one of these in the 1970's they where made by Irwin Brown if I remember correctly I bought mine at a street fair in Hollywood California.
ReplyDelete