A project to authoritatively document Isamu Noguchi's complete body of work, the Isamu Noguchi Catalogue Raisonne, has recently been initiated. It will update and considerably expand the 1980 catalogue raisonne by Nancy Grove and Diane Botnick, including works that Noguchi made in the last eight years of his life, as well as incorporating his public projects, designs, and drawings.

The catalogue is anticipated to comprise several volumes, each dedicated to a period of the artist's work. Catalogue entries will include detailed histories of each work's ownership, exhibitions in which the work was shown, and the literature in which it has been cited or illustrated. The catalogue raisonne will be indispensable to scholars, collectors, and dealers of Noguchi's work. Owners of work by Noguchi are encouraged to contact The Noguchi Museum, by telephone: 718.204.7088, extension. 211; by fax: 718. 278.2348; or by e-mail: catalogue@noguchi.org.

Click here to download the Owner Form (PDF, 38 KB)

AUTHENTICATION

The Isamu Noguchi Foundation and Garden Museum is charged with the stewardship of Noguchi’s artistic legacy associated and responsible for sponsoring the Isamu Noguchi Catalogue Raisonné, a project to authoritatively document Isamu Noguchi’s complete body of work. Only authentic works will be included in the Isamu Noguchi Catalogue Raisonné.

Works by Noguchi may be made up various kinds of materials, sometimes many elements (including integral bases), castings, models, designs, stage sets, drawings as well has large scale projects such as gardens, parks, interiors, playgrounds, monuments, and site specific earthworks. They may also have involved the participation of studio assistants, fabricators and technicians, architects, and designers. To determine whether or not works created under these conditions are authentic works of art by Isamu Noguchi, whether they are intact or not, finished or unfinished, requires scrupulous research. While The Isamu Noguchi Foundation and Garden Museum’s responsibility does not extend to policing the world’s art market for Noguchi’s work, it does have an obligation to establish a comprehensive and authoritative record of Noguchi’s production, by preparing and publishing a catalogue raisonné.

Authenticity is determined or confirmed in concert with the research for the Isamu Noguchi Catalogue Raisonné. Works that have been previously documented to the satisfaction of the Managing Editor of the Catalogue Raisonné need not formally apply for Authentication. This means that artworks which came directly from Noguchi’s studio after 1980 (when the first inventory was published) or if they have been thoroughly documented as original and authentic during the artists’ lifetime, need not be submitted for review.

The authentication of individual works that have not been documented is a distinct procedure that will be undertaken only upon the request of the owner of the work.

Please note that The Isamu Noguchi Foundation and Garden Museum, Catalogue Raisonné project, or the Authentication Committee WILL NOT offer its opinion with respect to the authenticity of works of art attributed to Noguchi unless the owner complies with the procedures set forth by the Noguchi Foundation and Garden Museum.

Neither The Isamu Noguchi Foundation and Garden Museum nor The Isamu Noguchi Authentication Committee is responsible for opinions related to the authenticity of artworks that are rendered by persons with existing or former associations to The Isamu Noguchi Foundation and Garden Museum without the owner’s full compliance with the procedures for authentication as set forth by The Isamu Noguchi Foundation and Garden Museum.

If you believe you have a heretofore unknown, undocumented work by Isamu Noguchi, please contact us by email: catalogue@noguchi.org. We will be happy to explain our authentication procedures with you further.