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Antiques! => Antique Questions Forum => Topic started by: DANTE5 on February 24, 2018, 04:13:28 pm

Title: Deciphering The Signature on Drawing
Post by: DANTE5 on February 24, 2018, 04:13:28 pm
Hi guys,

I'm not sure if you heard about the art heist in Chicago, Ill. last week.  If not, a Picasso print was stolen and it was reported that the thieves probably had no idea of the value.  Due to the fact that it was a print. The curator assumed the theives did not know the print was signed by Picasso which increased the value.  It was a simple looking drawing of a man's head.

 I told you this story to solicit your help on a drawing I have.  This drawing is professionally framed and it measures approximately 23 1/2" x  17 1/2" (drawing only). The writing is large enough to read but I can not make out the name. Once I can determine the artist I'll remove it from frame if necessary and inspect further.  I did however view it with my magnifying glass and to my surprise, NO DOTS!!.

After hearing the Picasso story I decided to research this one.  Any help will be greatly appreciated.  Thanks.
Title: Re: Deciphering The Signature on Drawing
Post by: mart on February 24, 2018, 09:00:28 pm
Is it under glass ??   Looks like  a pen and ink/watercolor combo !!  Its a limited edition print !!  You may have to take it out of the frame to see if its artist signed !!  One is ink and one is pencil with the edition number !!  The one in ink may be the name of the print !!  I thought it looked like "Four Pillars" but will look again tomorrow !!
Title: Re: Deciphering The Signature on Drawing
Post by: KC on February 24, 2018, 10:42:40 pm
Looks like Four Pillars to me as well.  Can't make out artist's name...
Title: Re: Deciphering The Signature on Drawing
Post by: DANTE5 on February 25, 2018, 07:09:34 am
Mart....Yes it is under glass, professionally framed.  It appears to be a pen, ink wash drawing.  I believe you guys are on target about the "Four Pillars".  That also helps me. Thanks.
Title: Re: Deciphering The Signature on Drawing
Post by: Rauville on February 25, 2018, 10:02:32 am
And I see a stylized "John P____?". I wonder what the sketch is of, or where?
Title: Re: Deciphering The Signature on Drawing
Post by: DANTE5 on February 25, 2018, 10:20:03 am
Rauville, I'm not sure of location of image.  I found at Goodwill in Georgia (USA).  I was thinking signature last name Dre.......???  First part looks to me to begin with an "A".  But a stylized "J" for John possibly.  Thanks.
Title: Re: Deciphering The Signature on Drawing
Post by: DANTE5 on February 25, 2018, 10:52:11 am
Rauville....Looking closer, I can now see The "P" in last name..Thanks.
Title: Re: Deciphering The Signature on Drawing
Post by: SophieMarie on February 26, 2018, 11:44:07 am
Ok, so correct me if I am mistaken!

Mart and KC:  You are looking the black writing when you see "Four Pillars"?

Dantes and Rauville:  You are also looking at the writing in black and seeing possibly "John P...."?
Title: Re: Deciphering The Signature on Drawing
Post by: DANTE5 on February 26, 2018, 11:54:30 am
Hi SophieMarie...Thank s for chiming in :D :D.  The image itself is what Mart and KC is calling the "Four Pillars".  The signature on the bottom right is written in both black ink and silver ink.  It should be the same name signed with the two ink types. (seeing the John P..... possibly).
Title: Re: Deciphering The Signature on Drawing
Post by: mart on February 27, 2018, 07:58:33 pm
The "Four Pillars" is in the black ink !!  The name is the other one !!  There is a P in it !!  The name sort of runs together but the last name begins with a P !! Think you said it was silver but looks like pencil on my computer !!
Title: Re: Deciphering The Signature on Drawing
Post by: DANTE5 on February 27, 2018, 11:11:40 pm
Mart.....I am way off base!!  I was thinking when Four Pillars was mentioned it was describing the image.  I did not realize you guys were talking about the signature.  It is grayish/silver ink ,it's not pencil. I was thinking the artist original signature was in black and signed again and numbered with the grayish ink???
Title: Re: Deciphering The Signature on Drawing
Post by: mart on February 28, 2018, 08:43:54 am
I may be way off base but thats what it looks like to me !!  The name in silver looks like it starts with a D,,Dan P_____ !!  I have looked and can not make it out !!  He must have been a doctor !!  Can`t read their writing either !!
Title: Re: Deciphering The Signature on Drawing
Post by: DANTE5 on April 08, 2018, 05:59:29 am
Bump.....I saw Ipcress chimed in the other day....
Title: Re: Deciphering The Signature on Drawing
Post by: mart on April 08, 2018, 07:51:55 am
Send him a PM and ask him to look at it !!  I still do  not know !!
Title: Re: Deciphering The Signature on Drawing
Post by: DANTE5 on April 08, 2018, 08:03:19 am
Thanks Mart.  Will do.
Title: Re: Deciphering The Signature on Drawing
Post by: Ipcress on April 08, 2018, 09:50:44 am
I’d have said John Pr******.

There are some artist databases which let you search with wildcards, so you just search for names starting John P
Title: Re: Deciphering The Signature on Drawing
Post by: DANTE5 on April 08, 2018, 10:20:28 am
Thanks Ipcress...I'll try that.
Title: Re: Deciphering The Signature on Drawing
Post by: Ipcress on April 08, 2018, 12:22:42 pm
If the angle /slant is consistent and the Christian name starts with D, then what follows ? Does anyone flick the end of their letter Ns like that ? Dan seems unlikely but then do does Dom
Title: Re: Deciphering The Signature on Drawing
Post by: DANTE5 on April 08, 2018, 12:49:45 pm
I had once thought the surname could begin with a "D"  Dr........????? Dre........??????

BTW.... Ipcress...I am assuming this drawing is signed by artist twice.  In black ink and silver ink.  What's your take on that?   I removed it from the frame an it looks truly original to me.  It feels original to me but I did not look for watermark (Ooops), that would be necessary for further research.

My primary concern is name of artist. Thanks for dialogue!
Title: Re: Deciphering The Signature on Drawing
Post by: DANTE5 on April 08, 2018, 12:58:46 pm
I agree with the Pr....Prea???????.....
Title: Re: Deciphering The Signature on Drawing
Post by: mart on April 08, 2018, 07:09:51 pm
Is it watercolor or done on canvas ??  I assumed it was a pen and ink with watercolor !!
Title: Re: Deciphering The Signature on Drawing
Post by: DANTE5 on April 09, 2018, 02:58:06 am
Mart........It looks like pencil.  It is not on a canvas, it is paper.
Title: Re: Deciphering The Signature on Drawing
Post by: Ipcress on April 09, 2018, 04:35:57 am
It’s a print of the original, the print then signed again in silver marker.
Title: Re: Deciphering The Signature on Drawing
Post by: KC on April 09, 2018, 08:39:19 am
Dantes, the kicker here is "07" in the dark lettering.  These days that could be 1907 or 2007....but should help with the search.

The first letter looks like a cursive G to me....