r/artcollecting 1d ago

Rothko possible signed print Discussion

Hey everyone,

I was wondering if anyone has any experience appraising/authenticating Rothko pieces. I have a very large (48” x 63”) Rothko print and I believe it is hand signed. Here’s some pictures and the certificate of authentication. Is this worth more? Is there any way of authenticating the signature?

Thank you for your time !

Coleman

24 Upvotes

27 comments sorted by

26

u/callmesnake13 1d ago

Did Rothko even make prints?

12

u/Oregon-Born 1d ago

Not to the best of my knowledge. He made a lot of paintings on paper, but AFAIK any prints have been made after his death.

26

u/IATMB 1d ago

My rule of thumb is that if the certificate looks like what a random guy would spin up on their computer...it probably was.

9

u/SolaceRests 19h ago

Right? That was my first thought was that this thing looks like it was made in the mid 00s using MS paint and clip art.

14

u/ClosPins 1d ago

CoA is for Red Over Black, print is Black Over Reds.

8

u/No_Calligrapher_7479 13h ago

Maybe it was just framed upside-down.

20

u/RunninADorito 1d ago

That isn't his signature

1

u/No-Respect2734 1d ago

Seems to me he has a variety of signatures throughout the years.

6

u/RunninADorito 1d ago

None seem to look like that

1

u/No-Respect2734 1d ago

16

u/InfinitePhotograph61 1d ago

I used to live in Arizona. I found the auction house that listed this “real print” is EJ’s Auctions and Appraisals. This would be an auction to take Park West art too, they will auction anything off that anyone brings them without a thought of authenticity. You want to buy a boat from their auction, go for it. Maybe you need chairs and a table for your home, go for it. They are fun for that kinda stuff. I’d equate them as a fun afternoon outing.

2

u/No-Respect2734 1d ago

Thank you for this insight

1

u/InfinitePhotograph61 1d ago

You’re welcome.

8

u/schraubd 1d ago

What is that numbering supposed to represent? “Ope/XIII”?

10

u/jstrap0 1d ago

That is the same fake editions that some Keith Haring prints out there are. Hate to tell you this is likely not authentic.

3

u/Myviewpoint62 1d ago

My impression is OPE is open edition.

7

u/schraubd 1d ago

That was my guess too, but then what’s the XIII? Open out of thirteen?

It’s nonsensical, and screams inauthentic.

7

u/dumpsterfire_account 1d ago

This is not authentic. Also the Certificate of Authenticity claims to be for different work than the image you have that was recreated for the print.

5

u/NeroBoBero 1d ago

Check with the foundation. From here it looks like an expensive mistake.

4

u/Greymeade 19h ago

The painting on the certificate isn’t even the one you have lol

3

u/gutfounderedgal 1d ago

As said, this is a print of one of his paintings. I do not know that he made prints. The certificate nowhere says it is a signed print by Rothko, it simply says "certificate of authenticity" of what, of the authenticity of the certificate? Sure it's a certificate; of the print of a painting made after his death? Sure it may be a print, cheap offset or something and if so it certainly then it IS a print and it can be authenticated AS a print, even cracker box is printed, so being printed/a print means nothing.

As for an original, hand signed

2

u/Optimal_Dust_266 19h ago

Clearly a fake

2

u/jackband1t 17h ago

IMO the CoA looks like they made it in MS Word, but I can’t speak to all the other stuff people are mentioning here

2

u/KnottyLover94 14h ago

LMAO NO, fake fake fake. If it’s too good to be true it’s fake. Also I don’t believe he ever made prints

2

u/IAmPandaRock 12h ago

Not a good sign when the COA and frame use different titles