Though a prominent art historian was on the record with his doubts about the painting, Sotheby's did not print his criticism in the auction's catalogue.
Shearman said that the auction house ignored his concerns.
Sotheby's counters that the omission to communication problems--that Shearman did not return their phone calls seeking his permission to print his letter.
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Shearman, however, said he does not remember receiving any phone call from Sotheby's. "They did not get back to me," he said.
"It is not uncommon to have disagreements on the authentity of old masters," Shearman said. "[But] their handling was very unusual," he said.
Southeby's was closed for the holiday and unavailable for comment.