A Thrift-Shop Jackson Pollock Masterpiece?

Ex-Trucker Claims She Scored A Multimillion-Dollar Painting For $5

(CBS)  "There is no way anybody can get up and look at that painting, or any Pollock for that matter, and be able, by visual examination and wait for this mystical feeling that they get that comes over them, to decide whether it is, or whether it is not authentic," Teri says. "They call it 'connoisseurship.'"

Asked what she calls it, Teri says, laughing, "B---s---."

"When you look at your painting, do you get a feeling?" Cooper asks.

"Yeah, I, you’re damn right I do. You, when I look at the Pollock, I see dollar signs. That’s all I see. I mean, you know, come on!" she replies.

Shut out by the connoisseurs, Teri turned to science. She found Paul Biro, a forensic art expert based in Montreal. Biro made his name as an art restorer. He now specializes in using scientific techniques to assess paintings.

Asked what he thought of Teri when he first met her, Biro says, "quite a character."

"The typical Jackson Pollock owner?" Cooper asks.

"Not quite," Biro says, laughing. "Not quite."

Biro studied Teri's canvas for several hours searching for clues. "The very first step for me was to analyze the painting. Take pigment samples. Look for forensic evidence," Biro explains.

"It sounds almost like you’re describing a crime scene," Cooper remarks.

"Well, it’s actually quite similar. I’m not look for the criminal; I’m looking for the artist who committed the painting, actually," Biro explains.

On the back of the canvas Biro discovered a fingerprint left in paint. "Once I turned the canvas around and I saw the fingerprint, I said 'Aha.' 'Cause suddenly I felt I have something to go on here," he recalls.

His next step was to find a Jackson Pollack fingerprint to compare it to. Pollock never served in the Army, however, and was never fingerprinted by police.

So, as the documentary shows, Biro, like any detective, went to the scene of the crime—in this case, the studio in East Hampton, Long Island, where Pollock made all those drip paintings.

The studio is now a museum, preserved as it was, right down to the open paint cans and brushes. On a can a blue paint, Biro found a fingerprint that matched the one on Teri's painting.

60 Minutes asked him to show the prints on his computer in his lab. "We’re looking at six ridges in all. And we are looking at six characteristics that I have marked here, which are clear enough to be usable. You can see the lines intersecting, and forming bifurcations," Biro explains.

Superimposing one print on the other, Biro says that the prints correspond and are fully congruent.

Biro says that match proves Teri's painting came from Pollock's studio. Then, in the Tate Modern Museum in London, he found another print, on a known Pollock, that he says matched the other two.

Asked if in a court of law this would hold up, Biro says, "Yes, it would. I believe it would."

Biro checked his work with Andre Turcotte, a retired Canadian police sergeant who ran the Quebec Police fingerprint lab for more than a decade. Turcotte agreed the prints matched.

That’s as far as comparisons have gone. Unless there's a potential buyer, Teri is unwilling to let other fingerprint experts examine Biro's findings. And she declined 60 Minutes' request to send the prints to an independent expert.

Biro's fingerprint match didn't change many minds in the art world, but it was good enough for at least one art collector, who offered Teri $2 million for the painting. She said no.

Why didn't she take it?

"I know what it's worth," she argues.

"There would have been some people say, 'Look, $2 million. You spend $5 on this painting. You’re offered two million. Take the money and run,' some people would say," Cooper remarls.

"True," Teri says. "But it was not a fair offer. Be fair with me and I'll sell it."

"So you’re not really sure, at this point, what you would take for this painting?" Cooper asks.

"No. I'm not gonna let 'em steal it from me," she says.

[boredwell]

poo-pooing art peeps.ive known them have been around them.What makes a painting worth $50mil.though i luv jackson it's definitly not worth that amount.NO WAY.master artist aside, very rich connoissieurs and curator/art historians feed on one another.it's an artistphere.domain.seigneurship.call it what you will.they are all in collusion.i luv art and artist but not enough to BELIEVE that Picasso warhol even Rembrant worth that..ah, these cognocienti.#2.provenance.important.yes.hoving's remark "i just don't FEEL it" is a bunch of egoistical BS.another mr poo-poo.hypothethsis.his first paintings start out more controlled, neaterh.he steps back.looks at it.decides the paint should be more fluid, less restrained.even sloppy.giveit edginess.stream of consciousness.chaotic energy.angst.i believe that this canvas could be one of his first.experimental.confined.unsatisfying.precursorto the frenetic,emotional ferociouness we see in his work now.Reexamine it.

[boredwell]

poo-pooing art peeps.ive known them have been around them.What makes a painting worth $50mil.though i luv jackson it's definitly not worth that amount.NO WAY.master artist aside, very rich connoissieurs and curator/art historians feed on one another.it's an artistphere.domain.seigneurship.call it what you will.they are all in collusion.i luv art and artist but not enough to BELIEVE that Picasso warhol even Rembrant worth that..ah, these cognocienti.#2.provenance.important.yes.hoving's remark "i just don't FEEL it" is a bunch of egoistical BS.another mr poo-poo.hypothethsis.his first paintings start out more controlled, neaterh.he steps back.looks at it.decides the paint should be more fluid, less restrained.even sloppy.giveit edginess.almost stream of consciousness.chaotic energy.angst.boredom with tradition.expressive.free.i believe that this canvas could be one of his first.experimental.
confined.and not satisfying.he returns to his shed and BOOM!it hits him.eureka!create something crazy in its freneticim.reexamine ith a clearer, less prejudiced mind. one that jackson would applaud. the brash,unimpeded ferocity of his later work was a progressive process.

[artnairplane]

One of the problems with taking the painting back to the studio as was suggested by some of you is that Pollock is reliably documented as cropping his paintings. It is very likely the case none of the current edges were the original edges as the work was being created.

As to whether the piece is good or bad it isn't really relevant. When you've seen enough of anyones work you sense that there are a couple the artist might like to take back and work on a little more. There are idiosyncratic works (paths never followed to the end) in a body of work as well.

I personally like the fingerprint but the case could use some real forensic science probably focused on the paint if they can get reliable data on other Pollocks, which I bet they can't. Too much is at stake. It would be nice for CBS to link the photo to a larger file.

I stick by the Bio-Morphic drawing also.

[interested6]

If Jackson Pollck painted this painting is his studio there should be a paint print on the floor. Take photos of the painting by its self then on the floor and of the floor seperate. Then put it on a computer. With computer grapics as they are today it can be done. There should be lines in the paint that line up with colors on the floor and the thickness and angle of the colors of paint on both the floor and the painting. It is like a big jig saw puzzle. There may be a few lines, then there may be many. It can be done if it were painted in his studio.
I think it is a shame that the Art World would pass this off so fast. If it is a true Jackson Polluck what a find after all these years. I hope someone takes my recommendation and tries this process. It can be done don't give up Teri, try this to save a Jackson Polluck!!!!
Good Luck,
Cheryl

[interested6]

If Jackson Pollck painted this painting is his studio there should be a paint print on the floor. Take photos of the painting by its self then on the floor and of the floor seperate. Then put it on a computer. With computer grapics as they are today it can be done. There should be lines in the paint that line up with colors on the floor and the thickness and angle of the colors of paint on both the floor and the painting. It is like a big jig saw puzzle. There may be a few lines, then there may be many. It can be done if it were painted in his studio.
I think it is a shame that the Art World would pass this off so fast. If it is a true Jackson Polluck what a find after all these years. I hope someone takes my recommendation and tries this process. It can be done don't give up Teri, try this to save a Jackson Polluck!!!!
Good Luck,
Cheryl

[interested6]

If Jackson Pollck painted this painting is his studio there should be a paint print on the floor. Take photos of the painting by its self then on the floor and of the floor seperate. Then put it on a computer. With computer grapics as they are today it can be done. There should be lines in the paint that line up with colors on the floor and the thickness and angle of the colors of paint on both the floor and the painting. It is like a big jig saw puzzle. There may be a few lines, then there may be many. It can be done if it were painted in his studio.
I think it is a shame that the Art World would pass this off so fast. If it is a true Jackson Polluck what a find after all these years. I hope someone takes my recommendation and tries this process. It can be done don't give up Teri, try this to save a Jackson Polluck!!!!
Good Luck,
Cheryl

[interested6]

If Jackson Pollck painted this painting is his studio there should be a paint print on the floor. Take photos of the painting by its self then on the floor and of the floor seperate. Then put it on a computer. With computer grapics as they are today it can be done. There should be lines in the paint that line up with colors on the floor and the thickness and angle of the colors of paint on both the floor and the painting. It is like a big jig saw puzzle. There may be a few lines, then there may be many. It can be done if it were painted in his studio.
I think it is a shame that the Art World would pass this off so fast. If it is a true Jackson Polluck what a find after all these years. I hope someone takes my recommendation and tries this process. It can be done don't give up Teri, try this to save a Jackson Polluck!!!!
Good Luck,
Cheryl

[interested6]

If Jackson Pollck painted this painting is his studio there should be a paint print on the floor. Take photos of the painting by its self then on the floor and of the floor seperate. Then put it on a computer. With computer grapics as they are today it can be done. There should be lines in the paint that line up with colors on the floor and the thickness and angle of the colors of paint on both the floor and the painting. It is like a big jig saw puzzle. There may be a few lines, then there may be many. It can be done if it were painted in his studio.
I think it is a shame that the Art World would pass this off so fast. If it is a true Jackson Polluck what a find after all these years. I hope someone takes my recommendation and tries this process. It can be done don't give up Teri, try this to save a Jackson Polluck!!!!
Good Luck,
Cheryl

[h_j_cannon]

Everyone is missing the real point, no Jackson Pollack is worth more than $5.

[h_j_cannon]

Everyone is missing the real point, no Jackson Pollack is worth more than $5.

[bkglenn1]

I ALSO BOUGHT PAINTINGS AND WATERCOLORS AT THE LOCAL THRIFT STORE. I PAID TWO DOLLARS AND FIFTY CENTS FOR THESE. I FOUND OUT THEY WERE DONE BY WILLIAM H DRAKE WHO DID THE ILLUSTRATIONS FOR RUDYARD KIPLINGS THE JUNGLE BOOK, I HAVE HAD THESE SINCE 1980, LIKE YOU I KNOW WHAT THESE ARE WORTH, BUT I CAN'T FIND A BUYER. CALL ME IF YOU HAVE ANY INFO. BRENDA GLENN 501-455-1938
E-MAIL IS [e-mail] I HOPE I HEAR FROM YOU OR ANYONE THAT CAN HELP. THANKS

[bkglenn1]

I ALSO BOUGHT PAINTINGS BY WILLAM H DRAKE, HE DID THE ILLUSTRATIONS FOR RUDYARD KIPLINGS" THE JUNGLE BOOK" I PAID TWO DOLLARS AND FIFTY CENTS IN THE YEAR 1980 AT A THRIFT STORE. I WOULD TO SELL THESE BUT I DON'T KNOW HOW TO GO ABOUT IT. SINCE THAT I HAVE BOUGHT MANY PAINTINGS AND WATERCOLORS, PLEASE CALL ME IF YOU CAN AND HELP ME FIND A BUYER, LIKE YOU I KNOW WHAT THEY ARE WORTH, BRENDA GLENN 501-455-1938
E-MAIL IS [e-mail] I HOPE I HEAR FROM YOU.

[ageneyoung]

What's all this talk I hear about violets on tv? Frankly I think that violets are a very pretty flower. There is absolutely nothing wrong with ...

(pst, hey, that's violence, not violets)

Oh, never mind.

A. Gene Young

[j sims]

/home.earthlink.net/~ronneburg/blue/
a good web site to visit- about lost paintings
thanks jc

[funtimerhk]

On Authentication of a Painting

For the past 7 years we have been trying to further authenticate a painting attributed to Claude Monet. I invite you to review our efforts at www.monet1871.com We are open to suggestions to further authenticate this discovered masterpiece. Your help will be greatly appreciated and rewarded if you can find the buyer. Our site is a definite read for any art enthusiast. Assistance: [e-mail]

[j sims]

i have had my share of rejections.
the best one-
a museum curator visited me
" YOUR PROPOSAL CANT BE TRUE this is 1995 ,they have found all the important paintings, and are in museums"

please visit my website

http://home.earthlink.net/~ronneburg/blue/

all coments welcome
john

[shirlyn3]

There are many black people other there who are well edcuated and established, and believe it or not don't sell or do drugs. They may not get the same opportunities or rights as you, because of their ethnic background, or have had the tools/opportunity to excel or pursue a higher education, but they are hard working and strong. Presently, we are getting more recognition for our accomplishments and what we rightfully deserve and should expect in a democractic country, and if it takes a BLACK DA or a BLACK jury to make it RIGHT...THANK GOD! It had been all WHITE for years so what if the tables turn. Why feel so intimidated or resentful because we are finally being recognized as individuals with rights too? Stop making race and people's background an issue, and stand up for what is right/fair..we are all people trying to survive in the same world.

[kent1o]

Pollack edited carefully before releasing work to the public. He threw a lot of stuff away that simply didn't work out. He could have painted this, but the trouble is it's not very good.

[kent1o]

Pollack edited carefully, but releasing work to the public. He threw lot of stuff away that simply didn't work out. He could have painted this, but the trouble is it's not very good.

[funtimerhk]

On Authentication of a Painting

For the past 7 years we have been trying to further authenticate a painting attributed to Claude Monet. I invite you to review our efforts at www.monet1871.com We are open to suggestions to further authenticate this discovered masterpiece. Your help will be greatly appreciated and rewarded if you can find the buyer. Our site is a definite read for any art enthusiast. Assistance: [e-mail]