Forensic Handwriting Examination of Painter Signatures for Family Similarities Between Graphisms in Case of Direct Line Relatives (Based on the Example of Signatures of Jacek and Rafał Malczewski)

Abstract

This study is a part of a publication cycle on the similarity of graphisms in painter signatures. In the examination of handwriting, one of the identification problems, raised in expert opinion practice and in literature of the subject, are family similarities of graphisms. Even a well-qualified expert encounters serious identification problems, especially when analysing similarities between graphisms in isolated conditions. The same problem arises also in the context of painter signatures. Situations are known when works are signed by the artist’s family members. As a result, an attempt is made to compile a catalogue of features identical for family members and to confirm the legitimacy of research on family similarities between painters. The study focuses on family similarities in signatures of painters related in the direct line (father and son), following the example of graphisms by Jacek and Rafał Malczewski.