SKETCHES ATTRIBUTED TO FRANCISCO JAVIER MATÍS (1763-1851). AUTHENTICITY OR FRAUD?

Abstract

The finding of ten pencil sketches attributed to Francisco Javier Matís (Guaduas 1763 - Bogotá 1851) and the later discovery of a second series of eleven sketches raises several questions about the authorship and authenticity of the drawings. While the first group seemed authentic and could shed new light on the pictorial methodology applied to the iconographical work of the Botanical Expedition of the Nuevo Reino de Granada (1783 – 1814), the second series suggests a suspected fraud. Whereas ten of the drawings match the designs of the Botanical Expedition plates, the other illustrations are copies of plates published in books edited during the XIX century. The text presents a biographical note of the painter, a discussion about the authenticity of the drawings and pertinent aspects are commented.