A few weeks ago I went to see Dennis Calabi for several reasons. Dennis has a beautiful art gallery in Petaluma, CA. He has a really nice selection of mostly California Abstract Expressionists and some great contemporary artists. He is also a top painting conservator. I brought my Inman with me. He thought that by the look of it, the painting was the age it should be. It was covered in dirt- or better soot. Dennis thought it was from long years in a room with a coal fire. He thought that it would clean up well. He called me yesterday with good news. Not only would the cost of conservation be at the lower end, but he thought that everything about the piece confirmed for him that it was authentic. He sent me an in process photo that gives a good idea of the process- or at least how it looked before and somewhat what it will look like when cleaned. I hope you enjoy the photo. I did.