This quick course in art forgery, fake signatures in particular, is part of a continuing instructional series on how to dissect and analyze ways that works of art are presented for sale at online art auctions like eBay and elsewhere. eBay, for example, does not actively police their auction offerings, but rather depends on emails from dealers, collectors, experts, buyers, and potential buyers to notify them of problems like misrepresentations, fakes, forgeries, and similar issues relating to particular works of art. Any seller can describe any work of art in any manner that he or she chooses, and as long as no one complains, that art sells to the highest bidder. As a result, eBay and similar online auction sites are among the more dangerous places for uninformed or inexperienced collectors to buy original art.

The collage at the bottom of this page is made up signatures taken from paintings, watercolors, and drawings placed up for sale on eBay by two separate sellers. Both sellers appear to describe, photograph, and display images in similar manners. ArtBusiness.com credits the sellers, by way of eBay, as the source of all images in the collage. ArtBusiness.com at no time implies, makes, or intends to make any claims or express any opinions regarding the authenticity of any works of art or portions thereof that appear in this series.

This online auction tip has to do with studying the images of signatures on paintings, drawings, prints, and other original works of art that you find for sale at online auctions. When you see a work of art that you may want to bid on, study and compare its signature to signatures on other works of art that the seller is currently offering and, if the online auction site has this function, also study works of art that the seller has recently sold. Also, of course, compare the signature to signatures on other works of art known to be by the artists in question. In general, pay attention to the following details:

** Note where each artist's signature is located on each work of art. For example, signatures of different artists that are positioned in approximately the same locations on their respective works of art may indicate a cause for concern.

** Note stylistic similarities and/or differences from one artist's signature to the next. For example, individual letters that look similar from one artist's signature to the next may indicate a cause for concern.

** Note the colors of the various artists' signatures. For example, signatures of different artists that appear similar in color may indicate a cause for concern.

** Note the medium that each signature is signed in. For example, a signature on an oil painting that is signed in a medium other than oil paint (pen, pencil, marker, etc.) may indicate a cause for concern.

** Note how well or poorly each signature blends in with its respective work of art. Signatures that seem discordant, out of place, or significantly different in color when compared to the overall compositions of their works of art may indicate a cause for concern.

** Note the style of the signatures. Signatures should look relaxed, fluid, spontaneous, and unforced. Signatures that look rough, tentative, overworked, or shaky may indicate a cause for concern.

Stay tuned for future tips on how to buy art at online auctions.