CLARIFICATION — ARTPRICE (FRANÇOIS BEAUDRY)
To avoid historical or market confusion, I am correcting several errors published in auction records (Toronto, 2001) and later reproduced by specialized websites, notably Artprice.com. These errors concern three paintings and two drawings, and they distort the understanding and value of my work.
Works concerned
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Autoportrait (1992)
Original title: Bélier, poisson, oiseau et saltimbanque
Erroneous title (2001): Portrait of a Gentleman
Details: This is a self-portrait featuring the mentioned animals and the figure of the saltimbanque, representing myself. It was used on the invitation card for my third solo exhibition (Galerie Dominion, Montréal, 1992). Reproductions are shown below. -
Series “Fire Escapes” (1993–1994)
Work concerned: La Tulipe
Error: The catalogue entry does not indicate that this painting is the third part of the Escaliers de secours series.
Details: La Tulipe belongs integrally to this series. The full series can be viewed here. -
Drawings (same 2001 auction)
Two drawings are listed in the same sale. To my knowledge, I never consented to their auction, and I currently have no documentation proving their transfer.
Mention of Artprice and facts
The notices still visible on Artprice.com reference these Toronto 2001 sales. They repeat altered titles and incomplete descriptions, which may mislead researchers, collectors, and institutions.
Evidence and contactability
I provide here:
the reproduction of the invitation card (Galerie Dominion, 1992) showing the original title of the self-portrait,
a reproduction of the painting itself.
As a professional member of RAAV (Regroupement des artistes en arts visuels du Québec), I was and remain easily reachable. In the early 2000s, the law firm Heenan Blaikie contacted me via RAAV to settle copyright fees for the online reproduction of La chaise jaune (painted in 1988, resold in 2019) — proof that such verification was possible. Neither Artprice nor the auction house attempted to contact me.
Impact observed
These errors of title and lack of verification likely contributed to sales at prices far below the real value of my work. Beyond the financial aspect, the situation affected my career: the erroneous notices, still visible online, weighed on my reputation and gradually excluded me from the gallery network.
Purpose of this page
This page aims to restore documentary accuracy and the true authorship of the works concerned. My wish is to provide scholars, collectors, and curators with reliable and verifiable information. For further details or documentation, please contact me.
