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Gertrude Stein expert confirms that alleged Stein sketch is not by Gertrude Stein
by Gary Comenas (2012)

In July, The Royal West of England Academy in Bristol is showing a sketch that they are billing as "the first public showing of Andy Warhol’s ‘Rudy Vallée’ portrait" - despite the fact that they have not produced a single Warhol expert who has said the painting is authentic. The planned exhibition of the work is causing considerable distress to the Warhola family who have denied that it is authentic.

The original press release for the exhibition can be found here.

According to the owner of the work, Andy Fields, he found the alleged 'Warhol' sketch behind a sketch by Gertrude Stein he purchased at a garage sale in Las Vegas. Now, a Gertrude Stein expert, Wanda Corn - Professor Emerita (Stanford University) - has confirmed that the Stein sketch is not by Stein either. In an email dated 26 May 2012, Professor Corn states about the alleged work by Stein, "She NEVER made drawings or any other kind of visual art and the signature is not hers. Nor was she interested in popular films." Professor Corn co-curated the "Seeing Gertrude Stein" exhibition at the Smithsonian's National Portrait Gallery in Washington from October 14, 2011 through January 22, 2012.

Alleged drawing of hopalong cassidy by Gertrude Stein

Left: The alleged drawing by Gertrude Stein behind which the alleged Warhol drawing was found
Right: The signature on the alleged Stein drawing

Warholstars Links

1. RWA Bristol: "The work has not been officially authenticated and the RWA do not support any claims of authentication by the owner."

2. Statement from Andy Warhol's brother, Paul Warhola

3. Gertrude Stein expert confirms that alleged Stein sketch is not by Gertrude Stein

4. Statement from Warhol expert denying that the Rudy Vallée sketch is by Andy Warhol

5. Questions for the RWA Bristol

6. Rudy Vallée sketch to be exhibited at the Royal West of England Academy as an authentic Warhol

7. $3 jumble sale sketch is £1.3 million Warhol - or is it?

8. The President of the RWA asks if Andy Warhol sketch is "authentic or a hoax"

External Links

1. ITV Bristol (Scroll down for video of broadcast)

2. Atlantic Wire

3. Art Info

4. BBC Magazine

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