Unveiling The Mystery Of A Painting's Signature

Artists often sign their paintings to indicate authorship and completion. However, identifying a painting by its signature can be challenging, especially when the signature is illegible. To decipher an unknown signature, one can analyse the style and date of the painting, the artist's handwriting style, and the spacing of the letters. Online databases and art dealers can also assist in identifying signatures and unknown artists.

Look for the signature in the corners of the painting

When trying to identify a painting, it is important to look for the artist's signature. Artists started signing their work around the 15th century, and while their signatures are most commonly on the front, in more recent times they have often been placed on the reverse. Signatures can be placed wherever the artist believes they best serve the painting's composition.

Traditionally, Western artists have tended to sign paintings in the lower right-hand corner. This is because the eye naturally ends in this corner when reading a printed page. If the right-hand corner is too busy, the signature can be placed in the left-hand corner. When neither of these options is viable, the upper left and right-hand corners become possibilities.

When looking at the signature, it is important to consider the style or flare. A bold, gestural painting can withstand a more flamboyant signature, while a quiet, calm painting is better suited to a modest signature. The signature's placement and appearance can play a significant role in the overall design of a painting's composition.

If the signature is legible, you can simply search for the artist's name online to identify the painting. If the signature is harder to read, try to break down the letters and read them to narrow down your search. You can also use image recognition apps and reverse image search to identify the painting.

Break down the signature into letters

Breaking down a signature into individual letters is a good way to identify the artist of a painting. Signatures can be found in the corners of paintings, usually at the bottom, and can be used to search for the artist online.

When breaking down a signature, it is important to pay attention to the details of each letter. For example, in the signature "A(space)riel", the large gap between the "A" and the "r" suggests that there may be a large, rounded letter between them. In this case, a “U” fits well, and “Auriel” is indeed a name.

The style of the letters can also provide clues as to the identity of the artist. For instance, the signature may be written with rounded letters, with no corners, and with each letter given its own space. This can help to narrow down the search when looking for the artist online.

In some cases, only part of the signature may be legible. For example, the first letter could resemble an "S", "L", "E", or "i". The rest of the signature could be something like "Wiese" or "Viese". In this case, it may be helpful to look for artists with similar signatures or artwork that matches the style of the painting.

It is worth noting that not all paintings are signed, and even famous artists like Stanley Spencer, Vincent Van Gogh, and Lucien Freud are known to have left some of their works unsigned. Additionally, monograms, which are 2- to 3-letter designs containing the artist's initials, tend to be more popular among painters working after the 1800s.

Search for the artist's name online

If you have a painting with an unknown signature, there are several online tools and methods you can use to identify the artist. Firstly, if the painting has a gallery or framer label, you can try contacting the gallery to see if they have any information about the artist. Additionally, posting clear images of the painting and the signature in art forums may result in someone recognizing the artist or the distinct markings artists often leave when they touch the canvas with their brush.

There are also several online databases and websites that can help you identify the artist from a signature. ArtistsSignatures.com is a comprehensive database that allows you to search for artists by entering vague details such as one or two letters of the signature or monogram. IdentifyArtistsSignatures.com is another useful website that offers several ways to track down an artist, including a search feature that returns all signatures in their database with the characters you inputted. SignatureFinder.com also allows you to search for artists by name and email yourself a list of saved artists from any search session. Signet Art also has an Artist Signature Library that you can search through to identify the artist.

If you are unable to discern the artist's name from the signature, you can try using Google or Google Lens to identify the artist by uploading a cropped image of the signature or the entire painting. This will return similar images that may help you identify the artist.

Identify the artistic movement of the painting

Identifying the artistic movement of a painting can be a challenging task, but there are several strategies that can be employed to make an educated guess. Here are some steps you can take:

• Examine the characteristics of the painting: Look for specific features such as brushwork, colour palette, forms, and subjects depicted. Each artistic movement has distinct traits. For example, Impressionism is characterised by loose brush strokes, a focus on light effects, and everyday subjects, while Cubism often features fragmented subjects viewed from multiple angles, creating an abstract composition with geometric shapes.
• Consider the historical context: Artistic movements are typically associated with specific historical eras. For instance, the Renaissance (14th-17th centuries) focused on realism and humanism, while the Modern Art movement (late 19th to early 20th centuries) broke from traditional forms. By understanding the time period, you can narrow down the potential artistic movements.
• Research the artist: Artists often align themselves with specific movements based on their influences and the time period in which they were active. For example, Claude Monet is associated with Impressionism, while Pablo Picasso is known for Cubism. Understanding the artist's background can provide valuable clues about the movement their work belongs to.
• Use image recognition technology: These days, museums and art historians are making a concerted effort to upload and catalogue paintings and artists online. Utilise image recognition apps and reverse image search tools to see if you can find the painting in question. This may provide you with information about the artistic movement.
• Assess the materials and canvas: The materials used in a painting can give you clues about its age and the artistic movement it belongs to. For example, acrylic paint wasn't used in art until the 1940s. Additionally, the way a canvas is stretched and stapled can indicate whether it is newer or older.
• Consult experts: If all else fails, don't hesitate to reach out to art historians or experts who may be able to provide insight. They can guide you in the right direction and help identify the artistic movement of the painting.

Remember, each painting is unique, and sometimes it can be challenging to definitively place it within a specific artistic movement. However, by following these steps and gathering as much information as possible, you can make an educated guess about the movement that inspired the creation of the artwork.

Contact an art dealer or appraiser

If you are struggling to identify a signature on a painting, it may be worth contacting an art dealer or appraiser. They will be able to advise on the next steps and may be able to decipher the signature for you.

Art dealers and appraisers are experts in their field and will have a wealth of knowledge about artists and their signatures. They may be able to identify the signature by examining the style of the signature itself, as well as considering other factors such as the time period, genre, medium, and country of origin of the artwork. They may also be able to identify any stamps or labels on the back of the canvas or stretcher bars, which could provide valuable information about the supplier of the art materials and help to narrow down the list of potential artists.

It is worth noting that a signature is not the only factor in establishing the authenticity and value of a painting. As one source notes, "a signed piece does not immediately denote an increase in value but should be taken into holistic consideration when determining the value of a piece." For example, a painting with a clear signature but no other documentation could be less authentic than an unsigned painting with a history of sales records and photographs of the painting in esteemed museum exhibitions.

There are several ways to find a reputable art dealer or appraiser. You could try searching online for art appraisal companies, such as Lindsey Owen Appraisals or Elizabeth Appraisals, and contacting them to ask for their help. Alternatively, you could post queries on websites such as JustAnswer, which offer fast and detailed answers from various professionals. If you are able to visit an art dealer or appraiser in person, you could bring the painting along and show them the signature, as well as any other relevant details such as stamps or labels on the canvas.

Frequently asked questions