Authentication

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Authentication & Research

Requests for research and inclusion in the Catalogue Critique

The Association des Amis de Jean Jansem examines requests relating to works attributed to Jean Jansem (1920–2013), in particular for the purposes of research and possible inclusion in the Catalogue Critique. Our aim is to ensure that each request is considered with care, on the basis of the most complete documentation available.

To facilitate an efficient review, we kindly ask owners, institutions and representatives to prepare their files according to the procedure and documentation described below.

Procedure

Submitting a work for review

1. Initial contact. If you wish to submit a work by Jean Jansem, please prepare the images and information listed under “Required documentation” and contact the Association by email.

2. Transmission of documentation. Digital files (high-definition colour images and supporting documents) may be sent by email. Where relevant, physical photographs can also be supplied.

3. Research and examination. Once the complete file and payment have been received, a study is conducted on the basis of the documentation provided and the resources of the Association.

4. Opinion. Following this study, an answer is provided. This opinion specifies in particular whether the work has been examined from photographs only or from direct observation.

5. Certificate of authenticity. Upon request, and where appropriate, a certificate of authenticity may be issued, under the conditions described below.

Required documentation

Images

For any submission, please provide the following visual material:

  • One colour photograph of the work (size approx. 18 x 24 cm), or a high-definition colour digital file.
  • Two black and white photographs (size approx. 18 x 24 cm), where possible.
  • A high-definition colour digital file or a transparency (e.g. Ektachrome), if available.
  • A colour image of the reverse of the work as a digital file.
  • A detailed colour image of the signature and any inscriptions, labels or markings.

Descriptive information

Please also include a concise description of the work:

  • Title (if known).
  • Medium and support (e.g. oil on canvas, oil on paper laid down on canvas).
  • Exact dimensions (height x width, without and with frame if relevant).
  • Inscriptions on the front or back (signatures, dates, dedications, labels, inventory numbers, gallery or exhibition labels, etc.).

Provenance and history

In order to assist research and comparison, please provide all available elements concerning the history of the work:

  • Provenance (previous owners, family history, acquisitions).
  • Copies of invoices, sale receipts, expert reports or earlier certificates, where applicable.
  • References to exhibitions, publications or mentions in catalogues, if known.

Timing and fees

Study and opinion

A study is conducted after receipt of the complete documentation and payment of the fee. The fee for the study and written answer is: CHF 300.

The duration of the review may vary according to the complexity of the case and the availability of archival material. An answer is provided once the examination has been completed.

Certificates of authenticity

A certificate of authenticity may be issued upon request, provided that the Association is in a position to do so and that the work has been sufficiently examined.

The current fee for certificates is as follows:

  • Oil on canvas, and oil on paper laid down on canvas: CHF 800 (incl. tax).

No duplicate certificates are issued. We strongly recommend that owners keep the original certificate in a safe place and provide a copy when needed for documentation purposes.

Frequently asked questions

Can a work be examined from photographs only?

Yes. In many cases, a preliminary opinion may be formed on the basis of photographs and documentation. The written opinion will always specify whether the work has been examined from photographs only or from direct observation.

Does the study automatically lead to a certificate of authenticity?

No. The study and written opinion (CHF 300) concern the examination of the work and the information supplied. A certificate of authenticity may be issued upon request, and only where the Association considers that the available elements allow it.

Is the opinion binding for all market purposes?

The opinion and, where applicable, the certificate, reflect the considered view of the Association des Amis de Jean Jansem on the basis of the documentation and information provided at the time of the study. They do not constitute a valuation and should not be treated as a guarantee of market price.

What happens if my file is incomplete?

If essential information or images are missing, the Association may ask for additional documentation or indicate that no conclusion can be reached under the conditions of the request. Complete, well-documented files help ensure a more efficient review.

Can I submit several works at once?

Yes, it is possible to submit several works. In that case, please prepare a separate set of images and descriptive information for each work, clearly identified, so that each file can be examined individually.

Scope of review and responsibility

Nature and limits of the Association’s intervention

The Association des Amis de Jean Jansem is a non-profit association whose purpose is to support and promote the work and memory of Jean Jansem, to collect and preserve documentation relating to his life and work, and to finalise the critical catalogue of his paintings.

In this context, the Association carries out research, examines works attributed to the artist and, where appropriate, issues opinions and certificates. These interventions are based on the documentation provided by the applicant, the Association’s archives and the experience of its scientific committee.

The opinion or certificate expresses the considered view of the Association at a given moment, in light of the information available. It does not replace the due diligence expected from owners, buyers, sellers or institutions, nor does it constitute an expert appraisal of value.

The Association reserves the right to decline or interrupt the examination of a work if the documentation is insufficient, if information proves incomplete or inaccurate, or if circumstances prevent a reliable study.

Preliminary request form

First step: outline of your request

To initiate a request for research or possible inclusion in the Catalogue Critique, you may use the following outline as a guide for your email, or adapt it to an online form on this website:

  • Identity of the applicant (name, postal address, email, telephone).
  • Capacity (owner, heir, gallery, institution, representative, etc.).
  • Basic description of the work (title, medium, dimensions, approximate date, if known).
  • Summary of provenance (previous owners, family history, acquisitions).
  • Purpose of the request (research, opinion, certificate, catalogue inclusion, archival registration, etc.).
  • Confirmation that you agree to provide the visual and documentary material listed under “Required documentation” and to cover the study fee (CHF 300), where applicable.

For any questions relating to the Catalogue Critique or to the submission of a work by Jean Jansem, please contact: b.jansem@jansemaubert.ch.

Click Here to contact us about a work by Jean Jansem