A landmark Forensic Signature Report confirming the authenticity of thousands of Norval Morrisseau paintings!

Kevin Hearn Vs. Joseph B. McLeod and Maslak McLeod Gallery Inc.
/Court File No. CV-12-455650/

"SPIRIT ENERGY OF MOTHER EARTH HAS NOT BEEN PROVED TO BE A FORGED OR FAKE MORRISEAU. FROM THE LAW'S POINT OF VIEW, IT IS THEREFORE A REAL NORVAL MORRISSEAU PAINTING."-

~ Justice Edward M. Morgan, May 24, 2018

"Spirit Energy of Mother Earth",  © 1974 Norval Morrisseau
~ Click HERE to view the inscription on canvas VERSO
Provenance: Purchased from Kahn Auctions in Pickering, Ontario; sold to Mr. Kevin Hearn by Mr. Joseph McLeod (1928-2017) of Maslak McLeod Gallery (Toronto, Ontario) & exhibited at the Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO) on June 11th, 2010 (click HERE)

FORENSIC DOCUMENT EXAMINER'S FINDINGS:

> The signature painted with a dry brush (DB) technique on the verso of the above presented acrylic painting on canvas has been positively identified to have been authored by Canadian Anishinaabe/Woodland artist Norval Morrisseau.

Kenneth J. Davies

These discoveries were conducted and documented by Full Time Forensic Document Examiner Mr. Kenneth J. Davies of 'Hawkeye Studios (Grapho-Lab® Services)' (Calgary, Alberta). 

This report is dated September 29th, 2017.

>> This report has been generated for Ugo Matulić of Calgary, Alberta and it is the eight in a series of Forensic Reports done by Mr. Davies analyzing the Signatures on artworks done by Norval Morrisseau (see ADDENDUM presented below). 

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~ Dated September 29th, 2017

/Click on image to Download/


> Forensic Report analysis /File No. 3442-1/ by Full Time Forensic Document Examiner Mr. Kenneth J. Davies of 'Hawkeye Studios (Grapho-Lab® Services)' (Calgary, Alberta); Click on image above for the report and for the Statement of Qualifications for Mr. Davies.

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Summary Report

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Examination of Dry Brush Signature / Titling

on reverse side of presented “ Norval Morrisseau” painting

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By request of Ugo Matulic of Calgary, Alberta, this analyst has undertaken an examination and comparative analysis of the dry brush signature, titling, dating and symbols as appearing on reverse side of the painting identified as 

“Spirit Energy of Mother Earth” – 1974

presented as by artist Norval Morrisseau

to make a determination as to authenticity of the dry brush signature, titling, dating and symbols on the reverse of that subject painting.

The undersigned examiner, as prescribed by the American College of Forensic Examiners Institute, understands his duty to serve the truth, to assist the judicial process if so called upon, and to not advocate for any party in this or any such undertaking. To that end, all statements in this report are true and objective determinations based upon forensic comparative analysis of the subject material. 

Methodology and Basis of the Examination:

Professional practices of document examination pertinent to questioned handwriting and signatures have been applied in this undertaking, whereby stroke characteristics broadly categorized as letter formation, slant, slope, rhythm, pressure, compression / expansion and sequence of strokes – collectively referred to as handwriting or signature writing habit – are studied, characterized and compared to determine authenticity or authorship. Examinations for authenticity may utilize macroscopic, microscopic and high resolution digital scan analysis, as well as UV, IR, light table and other dedicated light source applications, all as may be appropriate to a specific analytic requirement. 

The undersigned analyst has examined more than eighty Norval Morrisseau works, to date of this report, on canvas and other media, and is thereby intimately familiar with the character and stroke detail that was the authentic dry brush style and technique of signing the reverse side of Norval Morrisseau paintings. This analyst has drawn on that extensive experience and on comparative analysis with known Norval Morrisseau works variously bearing ink, pencil, and, most importantly and prolifically, dry brush signatures, handwritten titling, dating and symbols.

Paintings include, but are not limited to, non-disputed, Affidavit supported Sacred Medicine Bear Changes 1979, SoaringThunderbird 1979; as well as Shaman Envelopes Soma 1976 and Wheel of Life 1979, both authenticated at 100% by document examiner Dr. Atul K. Singla. 

Dr. Atul K. Singla's forensic handwriting analysis, authenticating Norval Morrisseau's signature on Wheel of Life 1979 was upheld in Hatfield v. Child in a judgment of March 25, 2013, issued by Toronto DeputyJudge Paul J. Martial. It led him to dismiss the case which had claimed Wheel of Life 1979 was a forgery and to declare it a genuine Morrisseau (Ontario Small Claims Court file SC-09-07264-00). 

Deputy Judge Martial's judgment, regarding the authenticity of the signature and painting, Wheel of Life 1979, was upheld in an Appeal hearing on December 6, 2013 by the Hon. Madam Justice Mary AnnSanderson in the Ontario Superior Court of Justice/Divisional Court. She dismissed the Appeal, agreeing with Judge Martial that both the signature and the painting, Wheel of Life 1979, were genuine and authentically signed by Norval Morrisseau (Ontario Divisional Court file 2013 ONSC 7801, Dec.17, 2013). 

The public Canlii reference number for this Divisional Court hearing can be found at: www.canlii.org/en/on/onscdc/doc/2013/2013onsc7801/2013onsc7801.html

“Spirit Energy of Mother Earth” – 1974:

"Spirit Energy of Mother Earth",  © 1974 Norval Morrisseau
~ Click on image to view FRONT & the inscription on canvas VERSO

Examination:

The dry brush signature, titling, dating and symbols appearing on the reverse side of the subject painting, “Spirit Energy of Mother Earth” – 1979, was examined by this analyst as high resolution photographic images.

The referenced image of the signature, titling, dating and symbols (page 3 of this report) present good over all clarity, disclosing stroke characteristics of formation, rhythm, slant, slope, pressure, and compression / expansion of the dry brush work.

This analyst was able to enhance the clarity of the dry brush work to some degree through digital contrast and gamma adjustment of the referenced digital image, to the further support the examination and comparative analysis of the dry brush signature, titling and symbols on the reverse of that painting.

In the examination and comparison of that enhanced image, the following has been determined by this analyst:

a) To the degree that can be determined from the referenced image, the style, semi-cursive signature formation, rhythm, pressure, slant, slope, compression characteristics of the signature present as consistent within the Morrisseau style of the period.

b) To the degree that can be determined from the referenced image, the style, formation, rhythm, pressure, slant, slope and compression characteristics of the titling, including the 'dash' marks style and placement in the titling, present as consistent within the Morrisseau style of the period.

c) The style, formation and placement of the dating, the copyright symbol and the 'thunderbird' symbol representing the artist, present, individually and collectively, as consistent within the Morrisseau style of the period.

d) The relative placement of the dry brush work and the relative arrangement of the dry brush elements thereon present as consistent within the Morrisseau style of the period.

Conclusion of the Examination:

Solely on the basis of the examination of the referenced image of the dry brush signature, titling, dating and symbols as appearing and visible in its entirety on the reverse side of the subject painting, “Spirit Energy of Mother Earth” - 1974, and with due consideration of some limitation imposed in examination only of the image as referenced in this report, this analyst has determined that formation, rhythm, pressure, compression / expansion, slant, stroke sequence characteristics and relative placement of signature, titling, symbols (copyright; optional thunderbird), dating, and 'dash' marks – visible in its entirety to examination – are consistent and without contradiction of known works of dry brush signed paintings of Norval Morrisseau of the period.

It is therefore the finding of this analyst within a reasonable degree of certainty that the dry brush work on “ Spirit Energy of Mother Earth” - 1974 is authentically and entirely that of Norval Morrisseau. 

Evaluation Scale:
High Degree of Certainty : beyond any doubt - 90%+

* Reasonable Degree of Certainty : highly confident result- 80-90%
High Degree of Probability : has strong support - 70-80%
Reasonable Degree of Probability : support weighs in favour - 60-70%
Inconclusive : insufficient / deficient documentation

Note: A more definitive finding than the results and conclusion stated in this report may only be obtained from examination of the original dry brush 'signature' subject of this report.

Signed

Kenneth J. Davies, B.SC C.Ga CFC
Examiner, Questioned Documents / Handwriting & Signatures Grapho-Lab® Services - Hawkeye Studios

75 Bernard Drive NW Calgary AB Canada T3K2B5 ph. 403.295.3556 fax 403.398.1522

ADDENDUM: 

Dr. Atul K. Singla       Brian Lindblom       Kenneth J. Davies

/Canada's top Forensic Document Examiner and Handwriting Experts/

~ From 2002 to 2017 they have analyzed more than 150* various genuine Norval Morrisseau artworks, all alleged to be forgeries by Kinsman Robinson Galleries and their associates, and have found them, without exception, to be paintings signed by Norval Morrisseau.

Image: Courtesy of http://themorrisseauhoaxexposedblog.com/ 

>>> Below, listed in chronological order, are the Forensic Reports available for FREE DOWNLOAD (2002 to 2017). These reports feature the conclusive findings of three top internationally recognized Forensic Document Examiners and Handwriting Experts that questioned signatures on various artworks were authored by Norval Morrisseau:

1. Forensic Report; File No. 1349/02; January 24th, 2002
Re: Handwriting Identification of Norval Morrisseau
Prepared for Maslak McLeod Gallery (Joseph McLeod), Toronto, ON
Prepared by Brian Lindblom, B.A., F.S.S. Dip. - Forensic Document Examiner (Document Examination Consultants Inc.)
              
2. Forensic Report; File No. 1834/07; March 13th, 2007
Re: Norval Morrisseau Signature Comparison
Prepared for Joseph Otavnik, Oshawa, ON
Prepared by Brian Lindblom, B.A., FSSocDip - Forensic Document Examiner (Document Examination Consultants Inc.)

3. Forensic Report; File No. 1951/08; November 5th, 2008Re: Norval Morrisseau Paintings
Prepared for Michael Moniz, Brampton, ON
Prepared by Brian Lindblom, B.A., FSSocDip, D-ABFDE - Forensic Document Examiner (Document Examination Consultants Inc.)

4. Forensic Report; WWFS File No. 2002; August 24th, 2010
Re: Signatures of Norval Morrisseau on Paintings
Prepared for James White, Toronto, ON
Prepared by Dr. Atul K. Singla, M.Sc., Pd. D. (Forensic Science) - Forensic Document Examiner (Worldwide Forensic Services Inc.)

5. Supplementary Forensic Report; WWFS File No. 2002A; May 27th, 2011; Re: Signatures of Norval Morrisseau on Paintings
Prepared for James White, Toronto, ON
Prepared by Dr. Atul K. Singla, M.Sc., Pd. D. (Forensic Science) - Forensic Document Examiner (Worldwide Forensic Services Inc.)

6. Summary Report; File No. 3442-1; July 29th, 2011
Re: Examination of Questioned Signatures Pertinent to the Authentication of Paintings of Norval Morrisseau
Prepared for Ugo Matulic, Calgary, AB
Prepared by Kenneth J. Davies, B.Sc. C.Ga CFC - Examiner, Questioned Documents (Grapho-Lab® Services - Hawkeye Studios)

7. 2nd Summary Report; File No. 3442-1; November 10th, 2011
Re: Examination of Questioned Signatures Pertinent to the Authentication of Paintings of Norval Morrisseau
Prepared for Ugo Matulic, Calgary, AB
Prepared by Kenneth J. Davies, B.Sc. C.Ga CFC - Examiner, Questioned Documents (Grapho-Lab® Services - Hawkeye Studios)

8. 3rd Summary Report; File No. 3442-1; December 19th, 2011
Re: Examination of Questioned Signatures Pertinent to the Authentication of Paintings of Norval Morrisseau
Prepared for Ugo Matulic, Calgary, AB
Prepared by Kenneth J. Davies, B.Sc. C.Ga CFC - Examiner, Questioned Documents (Grapho-Lab® Services - Hawkeye Studios)

9. Forensic Report; WWFS File No. 2099; December 21st, 2011
Re: Signatures of Norval Morrisseau on Paintings
Prepared for Ugo Matulic, Calgary, AB
Prepared by Dr. Atul K. Singla, M.Sc., Pd. D. (Forensic Science) - Forensic Document Examiner (Worldwide Forensic Services Inc.)

10. Second Supplementary Forensic Report; WWFS File No. 2002B; December 22nd, 2011; Re: Signatures of Norval Morrisseau on Paintings
Prepared for James White, Toronto, ON
Prepared by Dr. Atul K. Singla, M.Sc., Pd. D. (Forensic Science) - Forensic Document Examiner (Worldwide Forensic Services Inc.)

11. 4th Summary Report; File No. 3442-1; April 18th, 2012
Re: Examination of Questioned Signatures Pertinent to the Authentication of Paintings of Norval Morrisseau
Prepared for Ugo Matulic, Calgary, AB
Prepared by Kenneth J. Davies, B.Sc. C.Ga CFC - Examiner, Questioned Documents (Grapho-Lab® Services - Hawkeye Studios)

12. 5th Summary Report; File No. 3442-1; May 3rd, 2013
Re: Examination of Questioned Signatures Pertinent to the Authentication of Paintings of Norval Morrisseau
Prepared for Ugo Matulic, Calgary, AB
Prepared by Kenneth J. Davies, B.Sc. C.Ga CFC - Examiner, Questioned Documents (Grapho-Lab® Services - Hawkeye Studios)

13. Summary Report; File No. 3442-1; September 29th, 2017
Re: Examination of Questioned Signatures Pertinent to the Authentication of Paintings of Norval Morrisseau

Prepared for Ugo Matulic, Calgary, AB
Prepared by Kenneth J. Davies, B.Sc. C.Ga CFC - Examiner, Questioned Documents (Grapho-Lab® Services - Hawkeye Studios)

More Forensic Reports COMING SOON...

Ugo Matulić

ugo.matulic@norvalmorrisseau.com

~ In a court judgement Hatfield vs. Artworld of Sherway /Court File No. SC-09-087264-0000/ Judge Paul J. Martial stated the following:

"The Court finds that there is overwhelming evidence that Norval Morrisseau signed paintings in black brush paint.” (Judgment by Judge Paul J Martial: March 25th, 2013 - Page 34)

“The testimony of Mr. Joseph McLeod is indicative of his care and the detailed effort to confirm provenance, including the hiring of a forensic expert to examine the signature on the back of the painting indicate that he took his role to provide appraisals seriously. His testimony… demonstrates his depth of knowledge of the painter due to his lengthy association with the artist.” (Judgment by Judge Paul J Martial: March 25th, 2013 - Page 35)

"The Court rejects his (Donald Robinson) expert report and his conclusion that the Morellian analysis, style, colour, and provenance all pointed to forgery. (Judgment by Judge Paul J Martial: March 25th, 2013 - Page 37)

"Mr. Joseph McLeod's testimony is preferred to that of Mr. Ritchie Sinclair. Mr. Sinclair's testimony of numerous forgers paid for with drugs although dramatic was not supported by the evidence. (Judgment by Judge Paul J Martial: March 25th, 2013 - Page 37)

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> Every painting from the collections of Mr. Rolf Schnieders, Mr. Gary Lamont and Mr. David Voss which were submitted for signature analysis were authenticated by one of Canada's three top internationally recognized Forensic Document Examiners and Handwriting Experts from Ottawa, Toronto and Calgary (click HERE for these Forensic Reports which are available for FREE DOWNLOAD exclusively on this platform. <

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>>> Reference posts:

- Forensic Document Examination (Part I),

- Morrisseau's artwork in Auction Houses, Commercial Art Galleries & Museums Around the World, - Genuine Morrisseau paintings: Appraised, Authenticated and Forensically Analyzed... /In regards to the Genuine Norval Morrisseau paintings signed by the artist with a dry brush (DB) technique/ - Experts in Norval Morrisseau's Art (Part I) /Ref.: Mr. Joseph McLeod/ - Norval Morrisseau authenticating his artworks /In regards to the Genuine Norval Morrisseau paintings signed by the artist with a dry brush (DB) technique/, - Endorsement by Thunder Bay Art Gallery of genuine Morrisseau paintings from 1970's /In regards to the Genuine Norval Morrisseau paintings signed by the artist with a dry brush (DB) technique/, - Authenticity Statement by Mr. Goyce Kakegamic /'In regards to Genuine Norval Morrisseau paintings acquired from Collections of Mr. Rolf Schneiders and Mr. Gary Lamont/, - Statutory Declaration by Mr. Robert Scott, /' Witnessing Norval Morrisseau signing the paintings with a dry brush (DB) technique'/, - Statutory Declaration by Mr. Deiter John Voss, /' Witnessing Norval Morrisseau signing the paintings with a dry brush (DB) technique'/ - Hatfield, Margaret Lorraine vs. Child, Donna and Artworld of Sherway (Part IV).
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