Past Event
Monday, May 8, 2023
Is There a Case for Connoisseurship in a High-Tech Era?
We live in an era of high tech. In the art world, forensic testing, A.I., XRF, and other scientific and mathematical tools are playing an ever increasing role in determining attribution and authenticity. So, what is the role for connoisseurship today and what IS connoisseurship? Is connoisseurship, as some say, too subjective, too imprecise, too old-fashioned? Is it too associated with "quality," another supposedly old-fashioned concept? At IFAR, we believe in the importance of connoisseurship -- the expert eye combined with close looking -- along with scholarly research, provenance, and materials analysis, in determining authenticity and attribution.
At this program several noted specialists, connoisseurs all, from different art arenas -- academia, museums, collecting, the marketplace -- with expertise ranging from Old Masters to Modern and Europe to Latin America discuss this tantalizing and very important subject.
The talks were followed by discussion and audience q&a.
A RECEPTION FOLLOWED.
At this program several noted specialists, connoisseurs all, from different art arenas -- academia, museums, collecting, the marketplace -- with expertise ranging from Old Masters to Modern and Europe to Latin America discuss this tantalizing and very important subject.
The talks were followed by discussion and audience q&a.
A RECEPTION FOLLOWED.
Event Speaker(s)
John ElderfieldIndependent Curator; Chief Curator Emeritus, Painting and Sculpture, Museum of Modern Art, NY
David Freedberg
Pierre Matisse Professor of the History of Art, Columbia University; Director of the Italian Academy
Kate Ganz
Art Historian; Collector; Dealer; Catalogue Raisonné Author
Carmen Melián
Principal, Melián Arts; former Director and Senior Specialist, Latin American Art Dept., Sotheby's
HOST/ MODERATOR: Sharon Flescher
Executive Director, IFAR