If you have ever looked at an auction catalogue you might have seen a painting described as School of Turner, Circle of Reynolds or After Lowry.
These phrases are part of the art world’s shorthand for how closely a painting is linked to a famous artist.
Understanding them can help you tell whether you are looking at a masterpiece or just a well-meaning imitation.
By – the gold standard
If a painting is described simply as By J.M.W. Turner, that means the auction house or valuer believes the work was painted by Turner himself. This is the highest level of confidence and usually the most valuable.
Provenance, expert opinion and scientific testing all support the attribution. In short, “By” means exactly what it says; it is the real thing, created by the artist’s own hand.
Attributed to – probably, but not certain
When a painting is described as Attributed to Turner it means there is good reason to think it is genuine, but not enough proof to say so for sure. The style, signature or materials might all look right, but something about its history is unclear.
It could be missing records of ownership, or there might be doubts about when it was painted. These works can still be valuable, but the uncertainty usually means a lower price than a confirmed “By” example.
Studio of – made under the artist’s roof
When you see Studio of Turner or Studio of Reynolds, it means the painting was made in the artist’s own workshop, most likely by an assistant or apprentice working under their supervision. Many famous artists ran busy studios, and their pupils often helped produce work for patrons.
These pieces can be very close in quality to the artist’s own, and sometimes the master may even have added a few finishing touches. They are still desirable, but understandably worth less.
Circle of – a close follower
A painting described as Circle of Turner means it was created by someone who knew the artist or worked around the same time, but not necessarily in the same studio. It might be by a friend, a rival, or simply an admirer who shared a similar style.
These works can often look convincingly like the real thing, especially to the untrained eye. They have historic interest and charm, but their value is usually a fraction of a genuine or “studio” example.
School of – same place and period
When a painting is described as School of Rembrandt or Dutch School, 17th Century, it means the artist isn’t known, but the style and materials suggest it came from that region and period. It places the work in a time and place rather than linking it to a single painter.
This term is common for older art, where many records have been lost. The picture might still be from the same artistic circle or even painted by one of the master’s pupils, but without clear proof, it stays within the broader “school” category.
Follower of / Manner of – inspired by the artist
When a painting is described as Follower of Turner or In the manner of Turner, it means it was painted by someone working long after the artist had died, but in a similar style. These artists were often admirers trying to capture the look and feel of the original master.
Such works were never meant to deceive. They simply show how influential the great artists remained long after their time. Their value is usually minor.
After – a direct copy
A painting listed as After Turner means it is a copy of a known work by Turner. It could have been made for practice, study, or simply because someone admired the original.
Many art students in the past learned by copying famous paintings, and some copies were later sold in good faith as decorative art.
These works can still be attractive, but they hold little artistic or financial value. “After” is the catalogue’s polite way of saying “a copy, not the real thing.”
Why it matters
The difference between By and After can be tens of thousands of pounds. For anyone handling an estate, a professional valuation can save a lot of guesswork.
From just £25+VAT Swift Values’ art experts can help identify what’s genuine and what’s decorative giving you peace of mind that everything has been fairly assessed.
This article was submitted to be published by Swift Values as part of their advertising agreement with Today’s Wills and Probate. The views expressed in this article are those of the submitter and not those of Today’s Wills and Probate.
