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How Do I Know If I Have a Jerome Tiger Painting?

Painter Jerome Richard Tiger (1941-1967) created art for only the last five years of his life. In that short time, he received critical accolades and changed the face of American Indian art. Tiger is referred to as the Goya or Rembrandt of Indian art because of his ability to draw an object after merely glancing at it. His work is highly collectible and is displayed in museums and private collections worldwide. If you suspect that you own a Jerome Tiger work or are interested in buying a painting that is attributed to him, it is important to do research to authenticate the piece and assure its value.

Instructions

- 1
  Examine the painting for clues. The first thing you should look for on your painting is a signature. Take Compare that signature to other signed Tiger pieces. Do an Internet search for Jerome Tiger images, and you will find examples of his signature. Also, look at the back of the painting. Sometimes a gallery label will be affixed to the painting or the frame. If so, contact the gallery to verify the authenticity of the piece. You may also find a title on the back of the painting. This can help narrow your research.
- 2
  Compare your painting to verified Jerome Tiger works. By looking at a variety of Tiger's paintings, you get a feel for his subject matter and technique. Compare your piece and look for similarities. For example, Tiger very often employed a signature blue background in his work. The book "The Life and Art of Jerome Tiger" features more than 100 reproductions of his work and is a good research source for understanding his style.
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  Contact a museum. Several museums in the United States have examples of Jerome Tiger paintings. Contact these institutions and ask for help in identifying your piece. Prepare a set of pictures that can be mailed or e-mailed to the museum. The website AskArt has a list of museum references for Tiger, including the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum and the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of the American Indian.
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  Get a professional appraisal. To both authenticate and get an insurance value for your painting, set up an appointment with a professional appraiser. The American Society of Appraisers or the International Society of Appraisers can put you in touch with an expert who has experience in identifying American Indian art.

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