>>> Downloadable Norval Morrisseau Forensic Reports (Part V)

-

~ This post was previously published on February 17th, 2013 as "Norval Morrisseau Declarations Are A Hoax /Michele and Gabor Vadas Exposed/ (Part I)"

 

FORENSIC DOCUMENT EXAMINER'S FINDINGS: 

FORENSIC SCIENCE Vs. NORVAL MORRISSEAU SWORN AFFIDAVIT
/Click on image to Enlarge/

Genuine Norval Morrisseau "Untitled" Set on paper (1970) was compared with images listed on page 3 and shown on page 9 of Norval Morrisseau's sworn affidavit. These artworks were allegedly labeled as "fakes and imitations" by Norval Morrisseau.

 ~ To see affidavit by Norval Morrisseau where he allegedly addressed paintings presented at  www.woodlandartgarybrucethacky.com (now www.woodlandartgallery.ca) owned by Mr. Gary Lamont, Thunder Bay, Ontario (click HERE; See page 3 & 9). This affidavit was signed by Norval Morrisseau on November 30th, 2004.

-----------------------------------------------------------------

>>> In a recent court judgement "Hatfield vs. Artworld of Sherway" /Court File No. SC-09-087264-0000/ Judge Paul J. Martial stated the following:

"The Court finds that there is overwhelming evidence that Norval Morrisseau signed paintings in black brush paint.” (Judgment by Judge Paul J Martial: March 25th, 2013 - Page 34)

“The testimony of Mr. Joseph McLeod is indicative of his care and the detailed effort to confirm provenance, including the hiring of a forensic expert to examine the signature on the back of the painting indicate that he took his role to provide appraisals seriously. His testimony… demonstrates his depth of knowledge of the painter due to his lengthy association with the artist.” (Judgment by Judge Paul J Martial: March 25th, 2013 - Page 35)

"The Court rejects his (Donald Robinson) expert report and his conclusion that the Morellian analysis, style, colour, and provenance all pointed to forgery. (Judgment by Judge Paul J Martial: March 25th, 2013 - Page 37)

"Mr. Joseph McLeod's testimony is preferred to that of Mr. Ritchie Sinclair. Mr. Sinclair's testimony of numerous forgers paid for with drugs although dramatic was not supported by the evidence. (Judgment by Judge Paul J Martial: March 25th, 2013 - Page 37)

 

-----------------------------------------------------------------

 INTRODUCTION:

Critical scientific professional analysis has hit pay dirt once again! But leaves an agonizing conclusion that Norval Morrisseau, his manager Mr. Gabor Vadas and his wife Michele, were all in on a 'market conspiracy' to dismiss earlier works of art by the artist himself and to knock out the competition. Was Norval Morrisseau able to make any judgement for himself and that Mr. Vadas and his wife Michele acted on their own to take advantage of a frail man for their own personal gain? The affidavit was signed by Norval Morrisseau who was not of a sound mind and who supposedly made claim that artworks like these seven shown here in this post were not painted by him?!

These sworn affidavits allegedly signed in the presence of a Notary Public would conveniently and mysteriously show up on the internet shortly after the death of Norval Morrisseau who passed away on December 4th 2007.

The lineage of these seven paintings lead to an old time friend of Norval Morrisseau’s a Mr. Gary Lamont. Embarrassingly these seven paintings were included in a shoddy affidavit report maligning Mr. Lamont's collection of genuine Norval Morrisseau paintings as being forgeries?

If these affidavits had been delivered to Mr. Gary Lamont at the time Norval Morrisseau was alive; it would have set off an alarm and a quick discussion between Mr. Gary Lamont and Norval Morrisseau putting a quick end to this affidavit charade.

* This document was the last in a series of allegedly signed Norval Morrisseau's sworn affidavits which involve the following galleries and/or individuals:

1. Maslak McLeod Gallery, Toronto, Ontario (click HERE and HERE);

   /Signed by Norval Morrisseau on March 14th and April 24th, 2003/ 

2. Artworld of Sherway, Toronto, Ontario (click HERE);

   /Signed by Norval Morrisseau on September 22nd, 2004/ 

3. Gallery Sunami, North York, Ontario (click HERE); 

    /Signed by Norval Morrisseau on November 30th, 2004/ 

4. Bearclaw, Gallery, Edmonton, Alberta (click HERE); 

   /Signed by Norval Morrisseau on April 8th, 2005/ 

5. Randy Potter Auctions, Port Hope, Ontario (click HERE) &

    /Signed by Norval Morrisseau on November 30th, 2004/

6. Mr. Gary Lamont, Thunder Bay, Ontario (click HERE). 

  /Signed by Norval Morrisseau on November 30th, 2004/

FORENSIC DOCUMENT EXAMINER'S FINDINGS:

> The fourteen signatures written by pencil on front and painted with a dry brush (DB) technique on the verso of each of the above presented acrylic paintings on paper have been positively identified to have been authored by Canadian Anishinaabe/Woodland artist Norval Morrisseau. These discoveries were conducted and documented by Full Time Forensic Document Examiner Mr. Kenneth J. Davies of 'Hawkeye Studios (Grapho-Lab® Services)' (Calgary, Alberta). This report is dated July 29th, 2011.

>> This report has been generated for Ugo Matulić a.k.a. Spirit Walker of Calgary, Alberta and is the first in a series of Forensic Reports done by Mr. Davies analyzing the Signatures on artworks done by Norval Morrisseau.

Provenance: These paintings were acquired by Randy Potter of Port Hope, Ontario from Mr. David Voss of Thunder Bay, Ontario. Then these paintings were purchased by Mr. Joseph Otavnik of Oshawa, Ontario from Randy Potter Auction House in Port Hope. All seven paintings were traded to Mr. Gary Lamont of Thunder Bay, Ontario. All seven acylics on paper were later purchased by the Blog Master - Ugo Matulić and currently reside in his collection to this present day.

-~ Dated July 29th, 2011

/Click on image to Download/

> Forensic Report analysis /File No. 3442-1/ by Full Time Forensic Document Examiner Mr. Kenneth J. Davies of 'Hawkeye Studios (Grapho-Lab® Services)' (Calgary, Alberta).

Summary Report: Untitled "Set of Seven Paintings on Paper"

As per the request of Ugo Matulic, Collector, this analyst has completed an examination and comparative analysis of signatures presenting as those of Ojibway artist Norval Morriseau (deceased) as appearing on an Untitled Set of Seven Paintings on Paper that is part of the established collection of Ugo Matulic.

Copies of the subject questioned signatures, and representative comparative samples, have been attached for reference only, as exhibits to this report.

This summary is not intended as a final report, but only to summarize findings to date of this report. This summary precedes a comprehensive formal report upon completion of examination of signatures on several additional paintings presented, or to be presented, to this analyst by Ugo Matulic as original works of Norval Morrisseau.

At the sole discretion of Ugo Matulic, for whom this report is produced, this summary report may be made available to others.

Basis of this Examination:

Standard, professional practices of document examination pertinent to questioned handwriting and signatures have been applied in this undertaking, whereby stroke characteristics of letter formation, slant, slope, rhythm, pressure, compression / expansion and sequence of strokes in the handwriting are studied, characterized and compared to make determinations as to authorship or authenticity. Results in this report have been based solely on such professional standards and practices.

Examined Paintings and Signatures, and Comparative Exemplars:

(Subject Signatures presenting as those ofNorval Morrisseau have been copied, excerpted, and attached for reference to this report, together with representative exemplar signature material)

Exhibit A: Images of the Seven Paintings, solely for purposes of identification of the subject paintings and general reference to this report.

Exhibits Ql through O7: QUESTIONED Signatures excerpted from the obverse and reverse sides of each of the seven subject paintings -pencil signature on obverse bottom right corner, and painted signature on reverse side of each painting.

Exhibits XI through X6: Exemplar Signatures from six (6) Certificates of Authenticity, for comparative analysis with the questioned signatures of the Seven Paintings.

Exhibits X7 through XI5: Exemplar Signatures of Norval Morrisseau from nine (9) published books: Legends of My People, Windigo, The Image Makers, Travels To The House Of Invention, all from 2002; Windigo, 1976; Norval Morrisseau, 1980; The Art Of Norval Morrisseau, (1) c. 1979-80; The Art Of Norval Morrisseau, (2) 1979; The Art OfNorval Morrisseau, (3) 1979.

Exhibits X16 & X17: Exemplars: Sacred Medicine Bear Changes, obverse and reverse, respectively.

Exhibits X18 & X19: Exemplars: Soaring Thunderbird, obverse and reverse, respectively.

Exhibit X20: Affidavit of Deiter John Voss pertaining to authenticity of paintings and signatures referenced in exhibits XI6 through XI9.

The examination:

(Utilizing macroscopic, microscopic and high-resolution imaging, as appropriate)

Known exemplar signatures of Norval Morrisseau as provided by Ugo Matulic and as researched by this analyst were examined and characterized to form the basis of comparative analysis with the signatures presenting as Norval Morrisseau on the subject Set of Seven Paintings on Paper.

Six Certificates of Authenticity (exhibits XI through X6) bearing original ink signatures, nine autographed and otherwise inscribed books (X7 through XI5) and known paintings of Norval Morrisseau (including exemplars XI6 through XI9) were included in evaluation and comparative analysis with the subject questioned signatures. It was noted by this analyst that book signatures were variously supported by photographs of the signings.

This analyst has characterized the known signatures, and signature styles, both written and painted, of Norval Morrisseau, as existing prior to and after pronounced effects of Parkinson's disease, and has conscientiously allowed for such effects in the comparative evaluation of signatures.

The questioned signatures of the Seven Paintings (pencil on obverse, and painted on reverse sides of each painting - exhibits Ql through Q7) were studied, individually and collectively, in all aspects of disclosed stroke details, to characterize each of those questioned signatures.

Then the signatures of the subject Set of Seven Paintings on Paper were compared, individually and collectively, with characterized known signatures of Norval Morrisseau, as generally represented in exhibits to this report, in all aspects of disclosed stroke characteristics, to make determinations as to the authenticity of the signatures of the Set of Seven Paintings on Paper.

Observations, Results and Conclusions of the Examination:

It is important to note that the known signatures of Norval Morrisseau present a variation of style that is notably greater than is presented by the majority of signatures within the populace.

Additionally, pronounced effects of Parkinson's disease in Morrisseau's later years do introduce further variants to the wide variation of Morrisseau's signature. As a result, in the case of Norval Morrisseau, a forged signature, conceivably, may disclose fewer stroke characteristics that would clearly present as outside of the artist's established range of signature style.

Further, neither the light pencil signatures nor the painted signatures allow for detailed evaluation of subtle pressure characteristics. It is also noted that while the pencil signatures of the subject paintings do not slope in an ascending style that is often characteristic of Norval Morrisseau, this may be due to the restriction of placing the signature in the lower right border of each of the subject Set of Seven paintings.

Finally, the influence of age / infirmity, as indicated, had to be considered in evaluating and comparing signatures from the 1970s forward.

Notwithstanding these limitations in ascertaining authenticity of the subject signatures of Norval Morrisseau, this analyst was able to complete a preliminary comparative examination of the questioned signatures of the subject Set of Seven Paintings on Paper, and to provide a preliminary opinion as to the authenticity of those signatures.

In studying the signatures (pencil and painted) presenting as those of Norval Morrisseau on the Set of Seven Paintings on Paper m a broad comparative analysis, this analyst has determined that formation, slant, slope, compression / expansion, stroke sequence and rhythm characteristics variously disclosed in each of those signatures (pencil and painted) do present, over-all, a correlation with exemplar signatures of Norval Morrisseau, consistently within observed and characterized style range, such that they do present as authentic signatures.

Solely on the basis of these early results, it is the reserved opinion of this examiner, to date of this report, that it is *within a high degree of probability that the signatures presenting as those of Norval Morrisseau on the subject untitled Set of Seven Paintings on Paper are true signatures of Norval Morrisseau.

Evaluation Scale:
High Degree of Certainty : beyond any doubt - 90%+
Reasonable Degree of Certainty : highly confident result- 80-90%
*High Degree of Probability : has strong support - 70-80%
Reasonable Degree of Probability : support weighs in favour - 60-70%
Inconclusive : insufficient / deficient documentation

( Note: The 'reserved' opinions in these reports allow for stronger authentication of the subject paintings of these preliminary findings as further examinations are undertaken and a final, inclusive report is produced by this examiner.)

Signed

Kenneth J. Davies, B.SC C.Ga CFC
Examiner, Questioned Documents / Handwriting & Signatures
Grapho-Lab® Services - Hawkeye Studios

75 Bernard Drive NW Calgary AB Canada T3K2B5 ph. 403.295.3556 fax 403.398.1522

> Questioned signatures - 1 OF 7 -

"Untitled" 1 OF 7, 12"x16.5", © 1970 Norval Morrisseau
~ Acrylic on Arches paper ~
/Click on image to enlarge for detailed examination/

"Untitled" 1 OF 7, 12"x16.5", © 1970 Norval Morrisseau

/Click on image for examination of pencil signature on BOTTOM RIGHT CORNER/

"Untitled" 1 OF 7, 12"x16.5", © 1970 Norval Morrisseau
/Click on image for examination of dry brush signature on artwork's VERSO/


> Questioned signatures - 2 OF 7 -

"Untitled" 2 OF 7, 12"x16.5", © 1970 Norval Morrisseau
~ Acrylic on Arches paper ~
/Click on image to enlarge for detailed examination/

"Untitled" 2 OF 7, 12"x16.5", © 1970 Norval Morrisseau
/Click on image for examination of pencil signature on BOTTOM RIGHT CORNER/



"Untitled" 2 OF 7, 12"x16.5", © 1970 Norval Morrisseau

/Click on image for examination of dry brush signature on artwork's VERSO/

> Questioned signatures - 3 OF 7 -

"Untitled" 3 OF 7, 12"x16.5", © 1970 Norval Morrisseau
~ Acrylic on Arches paper ~
/Click on image to enlarge for detailed examination/

"Untitled" 3 OF 7, 12"x16.5", © 1970 Norval Morrisseau

/Click on image for examination of pencil signature on BOTTOM RIGHT CORNER/

"Untitled" 3 OF 7, 12"x16.5", © 1970 Norval Morrisseau

/Click on image for examination of dry brush signature on artwork's VERSO/

> Questioned signatures - 4 OF 7 -

"Untitled" 4 OF 7, 12"x16.5", © 1970 Norval Morrisseau
~ Acrylic on Arches paper ~
/Click on image to enlarge for detailed examination/

"Untitled" 4 OF 7, 12"x16.5", © 1970 Norval Morrisseau
/Click on image for examination of pencil signature on BOTTOM RIGHT CORNER/

"Untitled" 4 OF 7, 12"x16.5", © 1970 Norval Morrisseau

/Click on image for examination of dry brush signature on artwork's VERSO/

> Questioned signatures - 5 OF 7 -

"Untitled" 5 OF 7, 12"x16.5", © 1970 Norval Morrisseau
~ Acrylic on Arches paper ~
/Click on image to enlarge for detailed examination/

"Untitled" 5 OF 7, 12"x16.5", © 1970 Norval Morrisseau
/Click on image for examination of pencil signature on BOTTOM RIGHT CORNER/

"Untitled" 5 OF 7, 12"x16.5", © 1970 Norval Morrisseau

/Click on image for examination of dry brush signature on artwork's VERSO/

> Questioned signatures - 6 OF 7 -

"Untitled" 6 OF 7, 12"x16.5", © 1970 Norval Morrisseau
~ Acrylic on Arches paper ~
/Click on image to enlarge for detailed examination/

"Untitled" 6 OF 7, 12"x16.5", © 1970 Norval Morrisseau
/Click on image for examination of pencil signature on BOTTOM RIGHT CORNER/

"Untitled" 6 OF 7, 12"x16.5", © 1970 Norval Morrisseau

/Click on image for examination of dry brush signature on artwork's VERSO

 

> Questioned signatures - 7 OF 7 -

"Untitled" 7 OF 7, 12"x16.5", © 1970 Norval Morrisseau
~ Acrylic on Arches paper ~
/Click on image to enlarge for detailed examination/

"Untitled" 7 OF 7, 12"x16.5", © 1970 Norval Morrisseau
/Click on image for examination of pencil signature on BOTTOM RIGHT CORNER/

"Untitled" 7 OF 7, 12"x16.5", © 1970 Norval Morrisseau

/Click on image for examination of dry brush signature on artwork's VERSO/

-----------------------------------------------------------------

>>> In a recent court judgement "Hatfield vs. Artworld of Sherway" /Court File No. SC-09-087264-0000/ Judge Paul J. Martial stated the following:

"The Court finds that there is overwhelming evidence that Norval Morrisseau signed paintings in black brush paint.” (Judgment by Judge Paul J Martial: March 25th, 2013 - Page 34)

“The testimony of Mr. Joseph McLeod is indicative of his care and the detailed effort to confirm provenance, including the hiring of a forensic expert to examine the signature on the back of the painting indicate that he took his role to provide appraisals seriously. His testimony… demonstrates his depth of knowledge of the painter due to his lengthy association with the artist.” (Judgment by Judge Paul J Martial: March 25th, 2013 - Page 35)

"The Court received the statutory declarations of Norval Morrisseau and letters filed by the Plaintiff in support of the allegation of forgery..."  (Judgment by Judge Paul J Martial: March 25th, 2013 - Page 36)

"The Plaintiff's own witness Donald Robinson provided viva voce testimony of Norval Morrisseau's inconsistency and difficulty in identifying his own work, and of his unpredictability.  (Judgment by Judge Paul J Martial: March 25th, 2013 - Page 36)

"He (Donald Robinson) agreed that Morrisseau could have memory problems from 2003 to 2006, and of his decline in health due to his illness. (Judgment by Judge Paul J Martial: March 25th, 2013 - Page 36)
 

Robinson's admission that he was not surprised that Morrisseau would sign a certificate of authenticity to please also cast doubt on the reliability of the statutory declarations signed by Morrisseau. (Judgment by Judge Paul J Martial: March 25th, 2013 - Page 36)

"His (Donald Robinson) testimony coupled with the testimony of other witnesses of Morrisseau's Parkinson's disease raises a significant doubt of the reliability of the statutory declarations. (Judgment by Judge Paul J Martial: March 25th, 2013 - Page 36)

"Although a letter from a lawyer who was present at the signing of the statutory declaration and a doctor's letter were filed at trial, no expert testimony of capacity was proffered by the Plaintiff on such a key issue. (Judgment by Judge Paul J Martial: March 25th, 2013 - Page 36)

 

"Mr. Robinson was qualified as an expert in the area of valuation and appraisal. His testimony however overlapped into the area of handwriting and included an analysis of syllabic and English handwriting, areas for which he was not qualified. (Judgment by Judge Paul J Martial: March 25th, 2013 - Page 36)

"He (Donald Robinson) has no formal training as an expert witness in handwriting analysis and his evidence is rejected. (Judgment by Judge Paul J Martial: March 25th, 2013 - Page 36)

"Dr. Singla's forensic evidence is preferred in this regard and his finding that it is highly probable that the painting "Wheel of Life" was painted by Norval Morrisseau was supported by his detailed technical analysis of known signatures of' Norval Morrisseau. (Judgment by Judge Paul J Martial: March 25th, 2013 - Page 36 & 37)
 

"Mr. Robinson also testified as to his personal dealings with Morrisseau paintings. It was his view that there were a large number of forgeries. (Judgment by Judge Paul J Martial: March 25th, 2013 - Page 37)

"It was also clear that his (Donald Robinson) personal views and business interests conflicted with his professional opinion since it was in his interest along with Mr. Vadas to maintain the price of Morrisseau paintings which would not otherwise be the case if the market was flooded with paintings sourced from Potter auctions. (Judgment by Judge Paul J Martial: March 25th, 2013 - Page 37)

"The Court rejects his (Donald Robinson) expert report and his conclusion that the Morellian analysis, style, colour, and provenance all pointed to forgery. (Judgment by Judge Paul J Martial: March 25th, 2013 - Page 37)
 

"Mr. Joseph McLeod's testimony is preferred to that of Mr. Ritchie Sinclair. Mr. Sinclair's testimony of numerous forgers paid for with drugs although dramatic was not supported by the evidence. (Judgment by Judge Paul J Martial: March 25th, 2013 - Page 37)

 
-----------------------------------------------------------------

>>> REFERENCE POSTS (STRONGLY RECOMMENDED):

- Forensic Document Examination (Part I), - Signatures on Norval Morrisseau artworks certified by Forensic Science, - Downloadable Norval Morrisseau Forensic Reports (Part I), - Downloadable Norval Morrisseau Forensic Reports (Part II), - Downloadable Norval Morrisseau Forensic Reports (Part III), - Downloadable Norval Morrisseau Forensic Reports (Part IV), - Morrisseau's artwork in Auction Houses, Commercial Art Galleries & Museums Around the World, - Genuine Morrisseau paintings: Appraised, Authenticated and Forensically Analyzed... /In regards to the Genuine Norval Morrisseau paintings signed by the artist with a dry brush (DB) technique/ - Experts in Norval Morrisseau's Art (Part I) /Ref.: Mr. Joseph McLeod/ - Norval Morrisseau authenticating his artworks /In regards to the Genuine Norval Morrisseau paintings signed by the artist with a dry brush (DB) technique/, - Endorsement by Thunder Bay Art Gallery of genuine Morrisseau paintings from 1970's /In regards to the Genuine Norval Morrisseau paintings signed by the artist with a dry brush (DB) technique/, - Authenticity Statement by Mr. Goyce Kakegamic /'In regards to Genuine Norval Morrisseau paintings acquired from Collections of Mr. Rolf Schneiders and Mr. Gary Lamont/, - Statutory Declaration by Mr. Robert Scott, /' Witnessing Norval Morrisseau signing the paintings with a dry brush (DB) technique'/, - Statutory Declaration by Mr. Deiter John Voss, /' Witnessing Norval Morrisseau signing the paintings with a dry brush (DB) technique'/ - Hatfield, Margaret Lorraine vs. Child, Donna and Artworld of Sherway (Part IV) & - Pivotal Court Case Relevant to Authenticity of Norval Morrisseau Artworks.

~ As per decision of the SUPREME COURT OF CANADA (December 22, 2009), journalists and other media, including bloggers, will be protected from lawsuits if they diligently try to verify information on matters that are in the public interest (click HERE for more information and/or check NORVAL MORRISSEAU BLOG's DISCLAIMER @ the bottom of this page ). ~

-