Enservio Select was recently asked to appraise anoriginal oil painting by Ettore “Ted” DeGrazia (American,1909-1982). Born in the mining town of Morenci, Ariz., Ted DeGraziabecame one of Arizona's most prominent painters, illustrators andgraphic artists, resulting in his studio gallery being listed onthe National Register of Historic Places. He lived most ofhis life near Tucson, and worked in his studio, which he called“The Gallery of the Sun.” His signature work includes paintings andillustrations of 'angel-like' Southwestern children, many of Indianand Hispanic descent. His original paintings are iconic and soughtafter worldwide, ranging in price from $10,000-$20,000, dependingon the size.

The painting by DeGrazia we were asked to value had been stolenfrom the premises and was not available to examine. However, aphotograph was provided showing the canvas. It was titledSuperstition Mountain and was said to have been inheritedfrom family. The claimed value of the painting was$16,000.

When our specialists began researching the provenance for thispainting as well as other paintings by DeGrazia depicting theSuperstition Mountains, this exact painting was found on manywebsites celebrating the artist's work. Perhaps whomever theinsured inherited it from was a buyer or collector of DeGrazia'swork and the insured owned an important piece. Upon furtherresearch it was discovered that DeGrazia created only one renditionof the Superstition Mountain and the piece was part of the deceasedartist's personal collection.

Enservio specialists contacted Ted DeGrazia's signature galleryand the only gallery that represents the artist's estate, DeGraziaGallery in the Sun in Tucson, Ariz., and learned it was part of thegallery's personal collection and was not available for sale. Aphotograph of this painting was held in their collection, oneidentical to the insured's painting. This meant that the insured'spainting was a canvas transfer copy and not an original painting.The value of the canvas transfer reproduction was $250 compared tothe claimed value of $16,000.

The $16,000 could have been an accurate price if the paintinghad been original. The provided photograph did not show close-updetails of brush strokes to determine authenticity, and because thepiece was stolen it was not available to examine first-hand. Inthis instance, it would have been easy to agree with the claimedvalue based on the information submitted at claim intake. However,the additional research and due diligence in the appraisal work ledto a $15,750 savings for the insurance carrier.

Photograph of original Superstition Mountain painting owned bythe Ted DeGrazia Gallery.