Uncover Your Painting's Story: A Step-By-Step Guide

Finding out about a painting you own can be tricky, especially if it's an unknown or obscure work. However, there are several ways to dramatically narrow down your search. Firstly, you can assess the composition, subject matter, and style. Secondly, you can use image recognition apps such as Smartify and Magnus, which can identify the artwork and provide information about the artist. You can also perform a reverse image search on Google or TinEye, or use Google Lens to identify artworks found online. If your painting has a signature, you can search for it online or ask an art dealer, curator, or historian to help identify it. Additionally, you can research the painting's provenance (its location prior to current ownership) and check for markings on the back, such as notes from the artist or labels from galleries and auction houses.

Use image recognition apps

If you have a digital copy of the painting, you can use image recognition apps to identify the painting and find more information about it. There are several image recognition apps available for both Android and iPhone that allow you to snap a photo of a painting and search through museum catalogues, university databases, and art history texts.

The two most popular apps for recognizing artwork are Smartify and Magnus. Smartify works across museums and galleries and will bring up information about a painting in the same way as if you were standing in front of it. It aims to complement real-world visits to galleries and not just act as an online image database. The app will also work if you scan a postcard of a painting.

Magnus has built a database of more than 10 million images of art, mostly crowdsourced, and aims to help prospective art buyers navigate galleries and fairs.

Other image recognition apps for art include Google Lens and Google Art Project. Google Lens allows you to take a screenshot of an artwork and put it into the app to identify the painting. Google Art Project offers virtual tours around galleries and showcases digital versions of paintings.

To use these apps, you will need to take a photo of the painting and ensure that only the frame is visible, with no flashlights in between. Save the photo as a JPG, a standard image file. Then, upload the photo to the app to search for the painting.

Check the back of the painting

The back of a painting can reveal a lot about its history. Even the smallest markings can be a clue. If you are trying to find out about a painting you have, the first thing you should do is check the back.

Firstly, check for a signature. Artists have been signing their works since the 15th century, and while signatures are most commonly on the front, in more recent times they have often been applied to the reverse. If you find a signature, you can try to match it to an artist's catalogue raisonné.

You should also check for any notes or labels that might indicate the painting's journey and previous owners. Paintings may have been passed through institutions such as the Royal Academy of Arts in London or New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art, or been in the hands of well-known dealers such as Jacques Goudstikker. Private collectors throughout history have also added their names to the back of works they owned.

If the painting is a print or reproduction, it may be listed as such on the back. If it is a family heirloom or was bought second-hand, there may be a handwritten note describing its origin.

The back of the painting can also reveal clues about its storage and display history. Major cracks might indicate that it has been displayed in hot, dry conditions, such as above a fireplace, while warped stretchers could suggest that it has been hung in a humid place, such as a bathroom.

Finally, if you only have the canvas and there is no frame, check the wood portion of the canvas. Prior to 1900, most artists stretched their own canvases, so if there is a signature on the wood, it is probably the artist's.

Research the artist's signature

Artists' signatures can be incredibly difficult to decipher and identify. However, there are some methods you can use to research the artist's signature on your painting.

Firstly, you should carefully examine the signature itself. Take note of the handwriting style, including the spacing of the letters and the shape of the letters. For example, are the letters rounded, or do they have corners? Are there any distinctive features, such as a large space between two letters? By analysing the signature, you may be able to determine if it is part of a name or a monogram.

Next, you can try to find similar signatures through an online search. Take a clear, cropped photo of the signature and use Google's image search function or Google Lens to look for matching signatures. Google Lens is particularly useful as it scans art databases, reducing the number of non-art-related results. There are also other apps and websites specifically designed for identifying artists' signatures, such as ArtistsSignatures.com and Artist Signature Library by Signet Art. These platforms may allow you to search using vague details, such as a few letters from the signature.

Additionally, you can consult art galleries, museums, or historical societies, especially those that specialise in similar art styles. If your painting has a gallery or framer label, you can contact them to inquire about the artist. Art forums are another option, as experts in these forums may be able to recognise the artist based on distinct markings or brushstrokes in the painting.

Finally, don't forget to examine the back of the painting for any notes or information that could provide clues about the artist.

Consult art experts

If you want to find out more about a painting you own, consulting art experts is a great way to go about it. Art experts can help you identify the painting, its history, and its value.

Consult an Appraiser or Curator

An appraiser or curator can help you authenticate a painting. They can check the signature in the artist's catalogue raisonné and may even be able to narrow down the date of the work based on how the signature has evolved over time. They can also help you determine the fair market or replacement value of the painting.

Consult a Conservator

If your painting is in need of conservation, it is important to have it done by a trained professional. Your local art museum, gallery, or historical society can recommend reputable conservators in your area. Conservators can also help you determine the condition of the work, which can affect its value.

Consult a Museum Curator or Art History Professor

If you visit a museum, a curator can help you identify the period and artistic movement to which the painting belongs, as well as the artist behind it. You can also email a photo of the painting to a curator, art history professor, or gallery owner and ask for their insights.

Consult an Art Authentication Expert

Art authentication experts can use scientific testing to help authenticate a work of art and determine its fair market or replacement value.

Research the painting's history

Researching the history of a painting can be a rewarding process, but it requires some detective work. Here are some steps you can take to uncover the story behind your artwork:

Begin with What You Know

Start by gathering as much information as you can about the painting. This includes the title or subject of the work, its approximate date and place of creation, and how long it has been in your or your family's possession. Check family records, interview relatives, and talk to anyone who might have information about the painting's origin.

Examine the Painting Itself

Take a close look at the painting for any clues that might help identify its artist or history. This includes signatures, marks, or labels on the front or back of the canvas. Artists often started signing their works around the 15th century, and these signatures can sometimes be used to narrow down the date of a work. Even if there is no clear signature, reference tools like Davenport's Art Reference & Price Guide or The Art Signature File can help decipher faint or illegible marks.

Additionally, look for any stamps on the back of the canvas or stretcher bars, as these can identify the supplier of the materials and provide clues about the painting's country of origin and time period. The condition of the painting can also offer insights; for example, major cracks might indicate display in hot, dry conditions, while warped stretchers could suggest a humid environment.

Consult Reference Materials

Use relevant encyclopedias, surveys, and art history resources to research the genre and style of the painting. Certain styles and movements were popular during specific periods, so knowing if your painting is from the Expressionist or Impressionist era, for example, can help determine its potential creator and historical context. You can also research the artist once you have identified them to learn more about their body of work and any influences or themes in their creations.

Track Provenance and Exhibition History

Provenance refers to the location of an artwork prior to its current ownership. By tracking the previous owners and exhibition history of your painting, you can uncover more about its journey and significance. Auction houses and galleries can often provide valuable information about a painting's history and enhance its value.

Seek Professional Appraisal

Consider hiring an independent appraiser to evaluate your painting. Members of the Appraisers National Association (AAA) charge by the hour and can provide expert advice on your artwork's authenticity, value, and conservation needs. Remember to follow recommendations for insurance and storage to protect your artwork.

Frequently asked questions