by Theresa Franks                                                                           

The oldest, largest and most widely hailed auction houses in the world, Sotheby's and Christie's agree that the only definitive universal experts on the original works of Salvador Dali are Robert and Nicolas Descharnes of Paris, France.

In an e-mail (courtesy copy provided to FAR® by the Salvador Dalí Gallery to whom the email was directed), Mr. Jay Vincze, Director of Impressionist and Modern Art for Christie's confirmed that Robert and Nicolas Descharnes are the only experts in the world for the authentication of Salvador Dalí original works of art used by that auction house.

From: "Vincze, Jay"
Date: September 23, 2008 10:06:39 AM PDT
To: (Salvador Dalí Gallery)
Subject: Dalí authentication

Dear Sir
This is to confirm that, for the purposes of authenticating paintings, sculptures and works on paper by Salvador Dalí, Christie's uses Robert and Nicolas Descharnes.
I trust this is of use.
Yours sincerely
Jay Vincze
Director, Impressionist and Modern Art

Park West Gallery claims to sell authentic Salvador Dalí prints from the Albaretto collection aboard cruise ships and at land auctions and boasts a worldwide customer base. They frequently cite Bernard Ewell's expertise as evidence that the prints are genuine.

Bernard Ewell, an art appraiser by trade, boldly claims on his website that he is "the foremost authority on the art of Salvador Dalí." Park West make frequent claims that Bernard Ewell is the world’s leading authority on Salvador Dalí.

And yet, according to Robert Descharnes, Park West Gallery has never consulted with him or attempted to make contact regarding the legitimacy of the Albaretto/Dalí collection. And neither, to our knowledge, has Bernard Ewell.

Park West Gallery did not seek authentication expertise from the only recognized experts in the world in the authentication of Dalí’s original works. They likewise did not approach the Descharnes regarding the authenticity of the Dalí graphic works they bought from the Albaretto and related collections. The question is: Why haven't Park West Gallery or the Albarettos or Bernard Ewell sought the authentication expertise of the world’s recognized experts? We believe the answer is obvious. The question was in fact answered by Robert Descharnes himself who simply commented, "They [Park West Gallery] have never approached us. We know where they are at."

Ewell and Park West

Bernard Ewell explains his relationship with Park West as follows:

"One of my many gallery clients, Park West Gallery, is the exclusive buyer and seller of Dalí artworks and prints from the Albaretto Collection. I authenticate every artwork before they buy it. If I turn it down, they don’t purchase. I do not provide appraisals or values."

We happen to know that Park West Gallery has referred many claimants/victims to Bernard Ewell for an appraisal on the Albaretto/Dalí artwork he authenticated for Park West Gallery. We also know that Ewell charged Park West Gallery customers professional fees for his "expert" opinions.

Further, FAR has reviewed written evaluations authored by Ewell, where he does indeed provide "appraisals and values" on the Park West Gallery Albaretto/Dalí prints. Specifically, Bernard Ewell confirms that the Albaretto/Dalí prints sold by Park West Gallery have no secondary market value as no independent records on values exist (auction records or otherwise) outside the "retail sales pricing" assigned by Park West Gallery at the scores of pseudo-auctions it conducts. It should also be noted that Park West Gallery relies heavily on Bernard Ewell's authentication and especially so when refunds are demanded by dissatisfied customers from Park West Gallery for Albaretto/Dalí prints.

Park West Gallery relies on Bernard Ewell's authentication to promote and legitimize the Albaretto/Dalí prints. Despite all assertions of independence and integrity, it is quite clear that Bernard Ewell is Park West's Dalí authenticator. The major auction houses don't use him for expertise. In fact, it seems that the Albarettos and Park West are the only ones who turn to Ewell for authentication.

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