Discovering Artists' Paintings: A Guide To Viewing Locations

Finding out where to view an artist's paintings can be a challenging task, especially when dealing with unknown or obscure artists. However, with some detective work and a bit of legwork, it is possible to uncover valuable information. One approach is to look for clues within the painting itself, such as the artist's signature, monogram, or specific subject matter that could indicate the artist's name. Assessing the composition, style, and artistic movement can also help narrow down your search. Online tools like image recognition apps, reverse image searches, and websites that specialize in artist searches can be invaluable. Additionally, seeking expert advice from art historians, museum curators, or art dealers, especially for older paintings or large collections, may provide further insights and guidance in your quest to locate and view an artist's paintings.

Identify the artist's signature or monogram

Artists often sign their paintings in one of the corners on the front, though sometimes they can be found on the back. If the signature is legible, you can simply search for the artist's name to verify their artworks. However, if the signature is unclear, you may need to try different letter combinations and similar-looking letters.

Monograms, which are two or more letters (usually initials) designed to create one symbol, can also be used as an artist's signature. Traditional monograms consist of three letters: the first letter of the first name, the first letter of the last name, and the first letter of the middle or maiden name, with the middle letter being larger than the other two. However, block monograms have all letters the same size, and some monograms even have overlapping letters.

There are several online and physical resources to help you identify an artist's signature or monogram. Here are some suggestions:

• Artist signature dictionaries: These can be found online or in large public libraries and universities. You can search for whole or partial signatures, initials, or monograms. Some dictionaries even allow you to upload a photo of the signature to help identify it.
• Artist signature websites: Websites like ArtistsSignatures.com and ArtistSignatureLibrary.com offer powerful search engines that allow you to enter vague details such as one or two letters in the artist's signature or monogram and return all possible matches.
• Google Image Search: Take a picture of the painting and crop it to focus on the frame and the painting. Then, upload it as a JPG file to Google, which may return the title, artist, and other information.
• Art museums and galleries: Consult art experts or curators at museums and galleries, who may have resources or knowledge about artist signatures and monograms.
• Auction houses and art appraisal services: These professionals often have extensive knowledge of artist signatures and can help authenticate and appraise artworks.

Research the artistic movement

Art movements throughout history have been defined by artists' use of different media and styles, following various philosophies and ideals. Art movements are often labelled with collective titles, such as Classicism, Futurism, Baroque, Surrealism, and Avant-garde.

To research a specific artistic movement, it is important to first understand the historical context and significance of the period from which it emerged. Political and social influences often shape the themes and characteristics of an artistic movement. For example, the Romantic movement emphasised the individual and imagination, as well as a passion for nature, which resulted in artists embracing plein air painting. In contrast, the preceding Neoclassical and Classical movements emphasised order, harmony, and rationality.

Artistic movements can also be defined by their rejection of other movements. For instance, Realism, which began in France in the 1840s, was a reaction against Romanticism, as well as a response to the rise of journalism and photography. Realist artists, such as Gustave Courbet, focused on accurately capturing everyday life in a detailed, life-like manner.

Another example of a reactionary movement is Abstract Expressionism, which encompasses a wide variety of 20th-century American art movements. This movement includes large painted canvases, sculptures, and other media, and is characterised by dynamic and spontaneous brushstrokes, as well as the effects of dripping and spilling paint. Within this movement, Colour Field painters rejected the active gestures of Action Painting in favour of expressing the sublime through large, flat surfaces of contemplative colour.

Constructivism, developed by the Russian avant-garde around 1915, is another example of an artistic movement with a clear set of ideals. This movement rejected "art for art's sake", instead using art as a tool for social purposes. Constructivist art often featured geometric shapes and compositions, sometimes created with the aid of mathematics and measuring tools.

By understanding the historical context, themes, and ideals of an artistic movement, as well as its relationship to other movements, one can gain a deeper appreciation of the art produced within that movement.

Consult art experts

Consulting art experts is a great way to find out more about a painting and where to view an artist's work. Art experts can be found in museums, galleries, auction houses, and universities, and they are often willing to share their knowledge and expertise. Here are some ways you can consult art experts:

Museum Curators and Gallery Owners

Museum curators and gallery owners are usually knowledgeable about the artworks they display and can provide insights into the history and context of a particular piece. They may also be able to direct you to other resources or individuals who specialize in the artist or style you are interested in. If you have a specific painting you want to learn more about, you can often email or bring an image of the artwork to a curator or gallery owner for their assessment.

Art History Teachers and Professors

Art history teachers and professors are another excellent resource for information on artists and their paintings. They often have a wealth of knowledge about different artistic movements, styles, and individual artists. They can help you identify a painting or artist and may also be able to provide guidance on where to view specific artists' works.

Art Appraisers and Auction Houses

Art appraisers are trained specialists who can evaluate the value of your artwork. They consider various factors, including the artist, size, style, condition, and market trends, to determine the worth of a painting. Many auction houses host free "open house" days where you can bring your artwork and receive expert advice. Online appraisal services are also available, where you can submit photographs and details of your artwork for assessment.

Art Authentication and Certification Experts

These experts specialize in fine art attribution, authentication, and appraisal. They often work with museums, galleries, auction houses, and private collectors worldwide. They can help identify the artist and provide information on the provenance and history of a painting. They may also offer services to help sell your artwork.

University Libraries and Art Specialists

University libraries, particularly those with specialized art departments, can be a great resource for researching artists and their paintings. They often have access to price guides, auction records, encyclopedias, and other resources that can help you identify and value artworks. Additionally, art specialists or professors within these universities may be open to consultations or questions about specific artists or paintings.

Remember that when consulting art experts, it is helpful to have as much information as possible about the artwork in question, including any signatures, monograms, or other distinguishing features. This information can aid experts in providing more accurate insights and guidance on where to view similar works by the artist.

Reverse image search

There are several reverse image search tools available. Google Images allows you to drag and drop an image into the search box, or you can paste a URL. Artist Ninja is another free tool that uses Google to search but has enhanced features for artists and creatives, such as useful ways of organizing and displaying results. Yandex, TinEye, and Saucenao are also options for reverse image searching. TinEye Alerts will even track your images for you, but this is a pricey service at $300 per month with an initial setup cost of $12.

When using a reverse image search tool, you may need to crop the image to remove anything that isn't the painting. You may also want to brighten the image or enhance the contrast to get a better result.

If you are looking for where an artist exhibits their work, you can also try searching for the artist's name along with keywords such as "exhibitions", "galleries", or "representation". This may lead you to galleries or museums where the artist's work is shown, or even to the artist's own website, which will likely have information on where their work can be viewed.

Assess the composition, subject matter and style

To find out where to view an artist's paintings, you can use Google's image search engine. Take a photo of the painting, and then open Google and click on the Images link. You can then drag and drop the photo into the search box.

Now, to assess the composition, subject matter, and style of a painting, you can consider the following:

Composition

Composition refers to the arrangement of elements within an artwork. The artist chooses the composition, and it can have a significant impact on the overall artwork. There is no one formula for a good composition, but there are some basic principles. For instance, a balanced composition draws equal attention to each element, while an eclectic style might emphasise particular parts. Classical artists often used triangular or pyramidal compositions to create a sense of geometry, while the Renaissance period saw the use of the 'Golden Ratio', a mathematical concept creating a spiral shape. Abstract artists like Jackson Pollock, however, opted for an 'all-over composition'.

Subject Matter

The subject matter of a painting can be analysed by considering any design constraints relating to the theme. For example, was the artwork commissioned to represent a specific subject, place, or idea? When, where, and why was the work created, and what was its original intention or purpose? How has this background influenced the outcome? For instance, were there any constraints regarding the availability of tools, materials, or time?

Style

The style of a painting can be assessed by considering the use of media and how it helps the artist communicate their ideas. For example, what media were used, and how does this aid the artist in expressing their vision? How does the style reflect the artist's approach to the subject matter?

Frequently asked questions