A VISIT WITH ZALCE, MAY 2002
A VISIT WITH ZALCE, MAY 2002
When I purchased "El Gallo" two
weeks ago, on unloading this very large work I FORGOT AND LOST ITS AUTHENTICATION
papers in the taxi. Fortunately for me, the lady I purchased "El Gallo" from
had a scanned copy of the authentication and e-mailed it to me.
So I went to Morelia for help from Maestro Zalce, taking a printed copy of the e-mailed authentication papers, to see if he would re-authenticate the work. I telephoned and was told that I would have to come over promptly because Maestro Zalce would be leaving for an appointment within just a few minutes.
On arrival I was greeted at the door by
a very attractive lady, Mariela, who now stays with Maestro Zalce most of the
time and helps him with everything. I explained my loss to Maestro Zalce and
Mariela. She asked me when I had purchased the art and from whom. She knows
the former owner, knows "El Gallo," and knows that the former owner had owned
the art, so she suggested that Maestro Zalce sign the copy of the papers, authenticating "El Gallo" as being original," which he did (see photo below), but since I didn't purchase this directly from Maestro Zalce, it is not a part of the Houston Collection.
I had also printed newer and nicer versions of an authentication, but she correctly thought that Maestro Zalce should not sign one of them, explaining that more than one authentication of the same work of art could be used to authenticate a forgery. She seems to be very good at working with, helping, and protecting Maestro Zalce--I believe it is wonderful that he has her with him. He obviously likes her very much and attends to what she says.
In my 11 years of friendship with him, this
was the briefest visit I have had with Maestro Zalce and it was almost all with
regard to the authentication, so I can't say much about how he is doing. I had
interrupted his breakfast too. However, he still has that same great sense of
humor and appeared to be both in good health and good spirit.
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