Appraisal Ass’n Confirms Painting’s Authenticity

The Korean Art Appraisal Association confirmed yesterday the authenticity of “Washing Place,” a painting by renowned artist Park Su-geun.

The work sold in May last year for 4.52 billion won, a record high for a Korean art piece, at the Seoul Auction House.

The art magazine Artrade raised suspicion over the painting in an article titled “Is Korea’s Best Art Work a Fake?” published in its inaugural issue this month.

The 20-member appraisal committee of the association comprised ten leading art figures, led by former director of the National Museum of Contemporary Art in Korea Oh Gwang-soo, and 10 gallery representatives including chairman of the association’s painting committee Song Hyang-seon.

The appraisal committee announced its final appraisal after holding a further examination of the work for five hours. Prior to this, the association conducted a preliminary examination Friday with the painting committee.

Chairman Oh said, “After we examined the collection processes of the work in detail and conducted a naked-eye appraisal by experts with in-depth knowledge of the artist and a scientific appraisal, the committee has concluded that the work is authentic.”

“There was one minority opinion among the 20 committee members.”

On the suspicion over the work’s matiere and color, Oh said, “It was Park Su-geun’s tendency to paint his favorite objects multiple times. He had four works depicting a washing place. Yet the work in question is slightly different as it came before he established his unique style.”

The appraisal association said the scientific verification methods used included ultraviolet, infrared photography and radiography. It said Park often used khaki and black for the first coat, which was confirmed by the appraisal committee as being on the painting.

After examining cracks, picture frame dyes and the canvas, the committee also said the work was well taken care of for a long time.

An association member said, “The former owner of the work, an American, talked on the phone with Park Seong-nam, the eldest son of the painter, saying he commissioned ‘Washing Place’ around 1955 or 56 and received the painting from Park in person.”

The Seoul Auction House after the announcement said it will seek all possible legal measures against Artrade for damaging its reputation.

The magazine hit back by saying, “We cannot trust the expert opinion of a organization in which gallery owners are the main force.” Thus debate over the authenticity of the painting could continue in court.

mskoh119@donga.com