PURCHASE WITH CARE

Copyright © 2002 Sam Allred

ZALCE FORGERIES

There is no doubt that the works of Maestro Zalce are being forged and that "his" signature is on art that was not produced by him.

I am not qualified to determine whether an artwork is or is not an authentic Zalce, nor do I personally know of anyone who is definitely qualified. Maestro Zalce is no longer authenticating his art. I would therefore advise potential purchasers to only purchase Zalce art if they can be very certain that the work was indeed produced by Maestro Zalce.

This beautiful engraving, called "Vendedora en Cuclillas," was produced by Zalce in 1975. I purchased two such works from Maestro Zalce, and one time while visiting him I asked if he would "colorize" one of the works. Here you can see Maestro Zalce with his concept of how the work should look with color.



In a Mexico City antique market, this (on right) is now being sold. It IS SIGNED and sales people will tell you that it was done by Maestro Zalce in 1993. I will not say here that it is definitely not an authentic Zalce, but I feel certain that there is nothing valid indicating that it IS his work. What do YOU think? Purchase with care!


In his studio Maestro Zalce once let me photograph an original and a forgery of one of his tapistries, shown here. I didn't know which was the forgery until he explained several differences, one of which was the very superior material from which his tapistries are made, especially when compaired to the much lower weave quality and lower weight of the forgery (on the left).

Here is an oil painting, one of several I have seen, with an "Alfredo Zalce" signature (doesn't show well here, on right). I have sent this picture of the work to several friends who know the work of Maestro Zalce very well, and none think that this was really done by him. Some art that I have seen, signed with his signature, looks very much like his work, and may or may not be his work, but again, purchase with care, i.e. ask for papers of authentication, know and have reason to trust the gallery or person from whom you purchase, learn to identify Maestro Zalce's technique and style...

I don't know if this beautiful life-sized bronze torso should be considered a forgery or not. It is not offered as an original (yet), but is purchasable in Mexico City for $700 dollars as a Zalce reproduction. It is not signed by Maestro Zalce, although "Alfredo Zalce" is stamped on its base. It is not the fine quality of Maestro Zalce's statues--and Maestro Zalce no doubt received nothing from the sale of this and other unauthorized replicas of his bronze works.

Aquí hay una estatua "del Maestro Zalce" en venta en "e-Bay." Mira a su precio y da un vistaso a la replica (arriba). Crea usted que esta oferta es una obra original del Maestro Zalce?

Besides that, they copied their information about Maestro Zalce from "zalce.com".

  • (CLICK HERE)

    Another forgery at an antique market, and beautifully framed.

    Maestro Zalce produced 17 historic engravings to be included in a large folder of engravings from Mexican engravers called "450 Years of Struggle--Homage to the People of Mexico." Some of these now have Maestro Zalce's "signature" AND ARE NUMBERED! I have three sets that Maestro Zalce signed--with photos of him signing--these are quite likely the only sets he really signed--and the numbering of these would be out of the question.

    This work is titled "Bodegón," which in English can mean a still-life, a wine cellar, or a tavern or inn. It is the only artwork included in the Houston Collection not obtained directly from Maestro Zalce, and I am 99% sure it is a forgery. It is used to illustrate forgeries of Maestro Zalce's art, and my feeling that any work not having been purchased directly from Maestro Zalce CAN BE a forgery. Bodegón looks very much like a Zalce original in many ways, because the artist who painted it copied other works of Maestro Zalce. It was painted by a good artist...but not by a great artist like Maestro Zalce. There are many ways to illistrate that it is NOT authentic even though it has papers of authenticity in "Maestro Zalce's own" handwriting (seen at left), it hung for sale as an original Zalce in a well-known art gallery, and its former owner had a great tale as to how he purchased it directly from Maestro Zalce!

    BELOW ARE PHOTOS OF "PESCADORES," AN ORIGINAL ARTWORK OF MAESTRO ZALCE (DUCO SOBRE CARTON), AND AN ACRILIC (RIGHT SIDE) COPY, ALMOST EXACT AND SIGNED, WHICH IS A FORGERY.

    BUT AMONG OTHER DIFERENCES, THE ORIGINAL WAS NOT PRODUCED WITH A BRUSH AS WAS THE FORGERY. MAESTRO ZALCE PAINTED THE ORIGINAL BY DRIPPING, POURING, AND SMEARING THE DUCO (AS CAN BE SEEN BELOW).

    Here are four "Zalce" paintings which, at the time of this posting (Sept. 2009), are for sale on "MercadoLibre" or "E Bay." Do you think they are originals?? Why?

    AUDIO: With a "click" here, and a bit of a wait for downloading, you can hear Maestro Zalce speak about forgeries...in Spanish, of course, but he talks slowly and distinctly.

    BUY WITH GREAT CARE--Even from galleries, E-Bay, Mercado Libre, Zalce exhibitions, individuals, etc.!

    Samuel Houston

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    First posted on Jan 18, 2003. Occasionally modified. Site Meter