There are cases where a fair amount of evidence demonstrates that a painting, a drawing, a sculpture or another piece of art is probably by a particular artist, but at the very same time, some contradictory considerations or facts introduce a doubt that the work is definitely an original by that artist.

In these situations, if the favorable case is strong, the artwork is generally considered to be by the artist, but in such a way that the doubts that exist are acknowledged. This is done in the hope that, at a later date, new evidence will appear and eventually settle the case.

This acknowledgement of the doubts is conveyed by describing the artwork as “Attributed to X” instead of describing it as being “By X”. Naturally, it is preferable for the owner that the artwork be known as “Attributed to X” rather than as “Not by X” or a variation thereof.

In such situations, if the weight of the evidence is in favor of attribution to the artist, we give it the benefit of the doubt and describe it as “Attributed to X”. As a result, quite obviously, artworks “Attributed to” have substantially higher value than those that are rejected, and, therefore, this is very much in the owner’s interest.