Where can I get this portrait authenticated?

Question

I HAVE A PAINITING THAT WAS PAINTED BY MAURICE UTRILLO I HAVE HAD THIS PORTRAIT OVER 30 YEARS, ITS OIL ON CARDBOARD CANVAS ABOUT 29 3/4 X 23 3/4. I REALLY CANT UNDERSTAND THE NAME ON THE PORTRAIT BECAUSE ITS WRITTEN IN FRENCH. I HAVE TO ASSUMPTIONS OF WHAT IT COULD BE....
1. EGLISE DE LTRINIS(LEINE)
2. EGLISE DE LITRINIS(LEINE)
THE PICTURE LOOKS LIKE A TOWN ON THE RIGHT SIDE WITH THE FOLLOWING NAME OF CORDONN ABOVE A DOOR, ON DOWN THE PORTRAIT THERE IS A PICTURE OF A CHURCH STEEPLE THAT HAS A CROSS ON THE VERY TOP.. ACROSS THE STREET ITS A WALL WITH TREES BEHIND IT IN FRONT OF A BUILDING..

Answer 1

Since it is a portrait can you give us the gender of the person or what the person looks like. It would seem to be the most important part of a portrait. Also can you give a link to the picture.

Answer 2

Sorry, but your painting is a copy (forgery) of an Utrillo (signature).

Utrillo and his Montmartre style was amazingly popular. If your painting was a genuine Utrillo it would be worth $250,000 or more.

However, you say it is a portrait... and I can't say I ever saw a portrait by Utrillo. He painted streets scenes that often had a steeple in there somewhere. Google Utrillo + portrait and you won't see any. He lived a long time... I don't think you have a true Utrillo.

http://www.artnet.com/Artists/ArtistHomePage.aspx?artist_id=16981&page_tab=Artworks_for_sale

Answer 3

I know your piece. However, it's not a portrait but a street scene. It is 'Eglise de Strins.' (See image below). I cannot yet locate it on the net but I doubt that your piece is original. Utrillo was one of the most reproduced artists.. as well as copied. I've attached an on-line assessment of the image by an on-line appraiser. If you have some evidence that it came from a bonafide collection or a reputable dealer then I would pursue having it authenticated. I would think that it's only a copy as it's on cardboard. I hope that this helped.
http://cgi.ebay.com/Eglise-de-Strins-Utrillo-Picture-Print-Painting-Framed_W0QQitemZ220042980492QQihZ012QQcategoryZ20149QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
http://en.allexperts.com/q/Fine-Art-3122/Maurice-V-Utrillo-Painting.htm
http://www.askart.com/AskART/artists/bulletin.aspx?searchtype=DISCUSS&artist=9000107

Answer 4

Weinstein Gallery, Inc. [phone]
http://www.weinstein.com/utrillo/maurice-utrillo.html

Answer 5

Send a photo to Sotheby's. If you act like you might want to sel;l it with them then there is no charge. Call 212.606.7000 and ask for the Impressionist Dept.