Research and Review Panel: FAQs & guidance
Stage 1: Research enquiries
Our assessment process begins with a research enquiry, which you can fill out online.
What we need from you:
Complete our online enquiry form with as much information as possible about your artwork including:
- Name and location of the current owner
- History of ownership (provenance)
- Title of the work
- Medium
- Dimensions (including any bases for sculpture)
- Images of the work including close-ups of any labels, marks or signature
- Any specific questions or concerns that you have
What happens next?
Our research team will cross-reference the information provided with published and unpublished resources including:
- The Henry Moore catalogue raisonné of sculpture, drawings and graphics
- Records of previously uncatalogued and unpublished works
- The Foundation’s digital database of Henry Moore artworks
- Our database of recorded fakes and misattributions
- Material from the Henry Moore Archive including sales and exhibition catalogues, correspondence and diaries
- Comparative works in the Henry Moore Foundation collection or other collections where possible
What you receive:
When we have completed our research we will send you our opinion via email. Our response will confirm:
- Whether the information submitted ties in with our records
- Whether we recommend that the work should be seen by the Henry Moore Foundation Review Panel for further analysis
- How the work is catalogued – title, date, medium and catalogue reference number (for works by Moore)
- Any other specific information requested in the initial enquiry
Stage 2: Review Panel
Once a work has been through the first stage of the process, our response will confirm whether the work should be seen by the Review Panel and the date of the next meeting.
If you decide to submit your work to the panel, you will need to arrange for it to be delivered to the Foundation in Perry Green between 7 and 10 days in advance of the meeting. Applicants are solely responsible for arranging and covering the cost of transport and insurance.
Who is on the panel?
- Chairman: Godfrey Worsdale, Director, Henry Moore Foundation
- Sebastiano Barassi, Head of Henry Moore Collections & Exhibitions, Henry Moore Foundation
- David Mitchinson, Consultant, former Head of Collections & Exhibitions, Henry Moore Foundation
- Antony Griffiths, Consultant, former Keeper of Prints and Drawings, The British Museum and Trustee of Henry Moore Foundation
What happens at the meeting?
The Review Panel examine the artwork and associated information in detail. Meetings include the following:
- Review of research findings
- Physical examination of the artwork itself to include stylistic and technical analysis
- Comparative analysis of style, technique, material, dimensions, etc, with related works in the Henry Moore Foundation collection or other collections where possible
What you receive:
After the panel meeting, we will issue a letter confirming:
- The panel’s opinion on the attribution of the work to Moore and its acceptance into the catalogue raisonné
- How the work is catalogued – title, date, medium and catalogue reference number (for works by Moore)
- Answers to specific research questions
The opinion given by the panel is made in a purely advisory capacity. The Henry Moore Foundation and panel members accept no liability concerning the content of the opinion.
Research and Review Panel FAQs
Q: What’s the difference between a research enquiry and the assessment by the Review Panel?
A research enquiry is the first stage of review. Before a work can be seen by the Review Panel, it is necessary to complete preliminary research to find out if the work ties in with our records. Research enquiries are completed without seeing the original artwork. Responses to research enquiries are sent via email.
The second stage of the assessment requires that artworks are delivered to Perry Green to be examined by the Review Panel. After the meeting we will issue a letter confirming the opinion of the Review Panel. We do not issue certificates of authenticity.
Q: Do I need to send in the original artwork?
We do not need to see the physical artwork to complete a research enquiry (Stage 1) but we do need digital images.
If you would like your work to be seen by the Review Panel (Stage 2) they do need to see the actual object. You will need to arrange for your work to be delivered to the Foundation in Perry Green between 7 and 10 days in advance of the meeting. Applicants are solely responsible for arranging and covering the cost of transport and insurance.
Q: Is the information I provide confidential, or will it be made public?
All information you share with the Henry Moore Foundation shall be strictly confidential. However, the Foundation’s opinion is itself not confidential; it is in the public domain and can be shared.
Q: Can I share the research and/or Review Panel opinion with other people?
Yes. The opinion of the Henry Moore Foundation is in the public domain and can be shared. Please see our Disclaimer and Exclusion of Liability.
Q: How long will it take to receive a response to my research enquiry?
We aim to respond to enquiries within 12 weeks. Please let us know, however, if you have a specific deadline and we will do our best to accommodate it.
Q: I want to sell my Henry Moore artwork now. Do I need to wait for a response to my research enquiry?
We strongly recommend that works are withheld from sale and publication until a response has been received from the Foundation.
Q: What is the best way to send my work to the Review Panel?
We recommend sending artworks via a reputable fine art transport agent, particularly if sending works from outside the EU as they will be able to advise on the necessary customs procedures. Please liaise with the Foundation to arrange the delivery date to ensure that there is someone available to receive the work on arrival.
Q: Will my work be safe at the Foundation?
Your work will be kept in a secure storage area at all times. It is the sole responsibility of applicants to arrange suitable insurance and transportation. The Henry Moore Foundation will not accept responsibility for loss or damage to the artwork for any reason, whether theft, fire, leakage, accidents, or other unforeseen circumstances.
Q: How soon after the Review Panel meeting can I collect my work?
We request that works are collected within two weeks of the Review Panel meeting unless special arrangements are made. You will be contacted after the meeting to arrange collection. If collection is not made within two weeks commercial storage rates apply.
Q: Will my work be destroyed if it is not considered genuine?
No. The Foundation facilitates the return of all work, irrespective of the outcome, to the owner. If the work is not approved for inclusion in the catalogue rasionné, it will not be destroyed.
Q: If the panel does not consider the work to be by Henry Moore can I appeal?
If further evidence or information is made available it is at the discretion of the Review Panel as to whether the work should be subject to further review.
Q: Does the Henry Moore Foundation provide valuations?
No. We recommend that you contact a reputable auction house such as Bonhams, Christie’s or Sotheby’s.
Q: How often does the Review Panel meet?
The Review Panel meets twice a year, once in spring and once in autumn.
We may be able to assess additional works outside of these meetings under exceptional circumstances. Please e-mail reviewpanel@henry-moore.org and complete an enquiry form for more information.
Q: I would like my work assessed now, is that possible?
Works are assessed by the Review Panel which meets twice a year. Very occasionally, we may be able to assess works at other times. If you have a special request please contact reviewpanel@henry-moore.org
Q: What sort of images do you require to assess an artwork?
For sculptural works, it helps to have photos from a range of different angles showing the sculpture in it’s entirety, as well as close up photos showing details of any markings, numbering and foundry stamps. If the sculpture has a base (such as in the case of models or maquettes), it is useful to have photos of this as well, especially if there are any identifying marks on it.
For works on paper, we ask for photos of both front and back (recto/verso), and any distinguishing features on the back of frames.
For all images, JPG format is preferred, of sufficient quality that it is possible to zoom in to see details, but a small enough file size that they can be transferred easily (i.e. no more than a few MB in size).
Q: Can I submit my print to the research and review service?
Due to the size and complexity of editions, the difficulty of assessing works from images and the manner in which our records are organised, the Henry Moore Foundation does not carry out research enquiries on prints.
Q: Where can I see Henry Moore’s catalogued works?
Works by Henry Moore are detailed in:
- The six volume catalogue raisonné of sculptures by Henry Moore, published by Lund Humphries
- The seven volume catalogue raisonné of drawings by Henry Moore, published by Lund Humphries
- The four volume catalogue of Graphic Works published by Gérald Cramer
- Our online catalogue
These are available in major libraries and archives. If the work you are researching cannot be found in the above sources it may have been catalogued since publication of the above volumes. It may therefore be recorded on the Foundation’s database and this will be checked as part of your research enquiry.
Disclaimer and Exclusion of Liability
All research conducted by the Henry Moore Foundation shall be confidential. However, the Foundation’s opinion is itself not confidential; it is in the public domain and can be shared. If you show or report the contents of the opinion to any other person without first drawing their attention to the terms of this statement, you should point out that if such a person relies on the opinion they shall do so at their own risk absolutely and should seek their own professional independent advice.
The Henry Moore Foundation (on its own behalf and on behalf of its agents, servants and employees) accepts no liability of whatsoever nature arising whether directly or indirectly from or as a result of any errors, inaccuracies or omissions, purported or otherwise, contained in the opinion and whether caused by the negligence of the Henry Moore Foundation or otherwise.
As with all opinions given by the Foundation’s Review Panel, should further information come to light at some point in the future that gives cause to review our decision, we may reconsider any opinion given.