Unveiling Unsigned Art: Techniques For Identifying Artists

Unsigned paintings can be difficult to trace, and their value is typically limited in the marketplace. However, there are ways to find out more about the artist and the painting. Firstly, it is important to determine whether the painting is an original or a print. Prints usually have small uniform dots or pixels under a magnifying glass and are often mass-produced, with little resale value. Originals, on the other hand, may have unique characteristics that can help identify the artist. Next, check the painting for a title, art style, and any notes on the back, which can provide clues about its origins or creator. Additionally, stamps on the back of the canvas or stretcher bars can indicate the supplier of the materials, helping to identify the country of origin and approximate time period. Online tools like Google Images and Google Lens can also be used to search for similar images or artist signatures. While these methods may not always lead to the artist's name, they can provide valuable insights into the painting's history and aesthetic appeal.

Check the painting for clues, such as stamps on the back

When it comes to finding the artist behind an unsigned painting, one of the first things you can do is to check the painting for any clues. A good place to start is by examining the back of the canvas and the stretcher bars for any stamps. Stamps on the back of a painting can provide valuable information about the supplier of the materials used. This is important because certain artists are known to have used materials from only specific suppliers. Therefore, by identifying the supplier, an expert may be able to authenticate or discredit the painting as the work of a particular artist.

Additionally, identifying the supplier can help determine the country of origin of the painting and place it within a rough time period. For instance, the National Portrait Gallery has a listing of artists' suppliers in England from 1650 to 1939. This information can be used to guide further research and narrow down the potential artists who could have created the work.

Aside from stamps, other clues on the back of the painting can also be useful. For example, gallery, auction, and exhibition labels can indicate where a piece was previously exhibited or auctioned. This information can be particularly valuable if a catalog for that exhibit or auction exists, as it may provide further insights or help establish a connection to a specific artist.

In some cases, the back of a painting may also reveal hidden messages or inscriptions that could provide clues about its creator. These messages may be written in pencil or other mediums and may offer explicit information about the artist or subtle hints that require further interpretation. Therefore, it is important to carefully inspect all areas of the painting, including the front, back, and sides, to ensure that no potential clues are overlooked.

While finding the artist of an unsigned painting can be challenging, these clues can provide valuable insights and help guide your research in the right direction. By examining the back of the painting and seeking the help of experts, you may be able to piece together the puzzle and attribute the work to a specific artist.

Research the painting's style and characteristics

Researching the style and characteristics of a painting can be a challenging but rewarding task, and it can help you get closer to identifying its artist. Here are some steps and considerations to guide you through the process:

Identify the Broad Art Movement

Firstly, try to identify the broad art movement or style that the painting belongs to. Is it figurative or abstract? Does it lean towards modernism or minimalism? Understanding the overarching style can provide a framework for further analysis.

Examine the Subject Matter

Consider the subject matter of the painting. Is it a recognizable object, figure, or scene from the real world, or does it focus on shapes, colours, and forms? Identifiable subjects are characteristic of figurative art, while abstract art tends to explore non-representational elements.

Analyze the Level of Realism

If the painting depicts a recognizable scene or object, evaluate the level of realism. Does it strive for accurate depiction, or does it adopt a more stylized or expressive approach? A highly realistic style may indicate a different artist than a painting with exaggerated or expressive elements.

Observe the Colour Palette and Brushstrokes

Pay attention to the colour palette and brushstrokes used in the painting. Are there any distinctive colour combinations or techniques employed? For example, the Bohemian art style is known for its eclectic use of colour, while some artistic movements emphasize smooth surfaces with minimal brushstrokes.

Look for Period and Cultural Context

Consider the historical and cultural context of the painting. Does it portray scenes, objects, or fashion from a specific time period? Vintage art, for instance, often reflects the cultural and historical context of its era, evoking a sense of nostalgia.

Examine the Medium and Materials

Identify the medium and materials used, such as oil, watercolour, acrylic, or encaustic (hot wax) painting. Different artists may have preferences for specific media, and the choice of medium can provide clues about the artist's identity. Additionally, look for any stamps on the back of the canvas or stretcher bars that can indicate the supplier of the materials and narrow down the time period and country of origin.

Compare with Known Examples

Finally, compare the painting's style and characteristics to known examples by established artists. This can be done through art books, online databases, or by seeking expert advice. By comparing compositions, colours, and subject matter, you may find similarities that lead you closer to identifying the artist.

Remember, researching a painting's style and characteristics is a detailed process that requires a keen eye and sometimes, expert knowledge. It is a fascinating journey that can deepen your appreciation for art and its history.

Consult art reference guides and biographical dictionaries

These publications are often organised by regions, subjects, media, or time periods. For example, the Dictionary of New Orleans Artists is organised by region, the Dictionary of Marine Artists is organised by subject, the Dictionary of Western Sculptors in Bronze is organised by media, and the Handbook of 17th-, 18th- and 19th-Century American Painters is organised by time period.

Some notable dictionaries include Peter Hastings Falk's Who Was Who in American Art, George C. Groce and David H. Wallace's The New-York Historical Society's Dictionary of Artists in America, 1564-1860, Glenn B. Optiz's Mantle Fielding's Dictionary of American Painters, Sculptors, and Engravers, and Paul Cummings' Dictionary of Contemporary American Artists.

Art reference guides can also be useful in identifying the artist of an unsigned painting. For example, Davenport's Art Reference & Price Guide is an annual publication that lists every known artist with auction records. If you can decipher a few letters in the signature, this book can help you identify the artist. Similarly, The Art Signature File by G.B. David provides an index of images of noted artists' signatures.

In addition to these resources, there are also online databases such as the Union List of Artist Names maintained by the Getty Research Institute, which supplies the artist's name, variant spellings, life dates, nationality, and related bibliographic citations.

Search the web with a cropped image of the painting

If you have a cropped image of a painting and want to find out its artist, there are a few methods you can try. Firstly, you could try a reverse image search on Google. This can help you identify the author of the painting, its name, and other technical data. Here's how you do it:

• Prepare your image on your computer. Take a photo of the painting and use an image editing program to crop the image so that only the painting is visible, with no flashlights or other objects in the frame.
• Save the photo as a JPG file.
• Go to www.google.com and click on the 'Images' link at the top right of the page.
• Drag and drop your cropped image into the Google search box.

Alternatively, you could try using a specialist tool such as Art Finder, which uses AI-driven visual analysis and a database of art historical information to identify artworks and suggest possible artists for unsigned works based on style and historical data. Other tools mentioned in forums include TinEye, IQDB, and SauceNAO for Japanese artists.

If you have the physical painting, you could also try looking for any stamps on the back of the canvas or the stretcher bars, which could indicate the supplier of the materials and help identify the country of origin and a rough time period. Some artists also used specific suppliers, which an expert could use to authenticate or discredit the work as being by a particular artist.

Contact an appraiser or art expert

Contacting an appraiser or art expert is a great way to find out more about an unsigned painting. Appraisers frequently encounter unsigned artwork and have a range of methods to help identify the artist. They can also provide a valuation of the artwork.

One way to get in touch with an appraiser is to use an online service, such as JustAnswer, which connects users with experts in various fields. In this case, an antiques appraiser or art expert would be the best person to speak to. When contacting an appraiser, it is helpful to provide as much information as possible about the painting, including clear photographs of the front and back, as well as any labels or marks that may be present. It is also useful to provide any context about where the painting was found, purchased, or acquired.

Appraisers and art experts have a range of tools and resources to help identify the artist of an unsigned painting. They may be able to identify the painting's country of origin and approximate time period by examining stamps on the back of the canvas or stretcher bars, which can indicate the supplier of the materials used. Some artists are known to have used specific suppliers, so this information can be used to authenticate or discredit a painting as the work of a particular artist.

Additionally, appraisers can use their knowledge of art history and artistic styles to make attributions. They may be able to recognize unique characteristics or styles that are indicative of a specific artist. While this can be challenging, some appraisers, such as California-based Elizabeth Stewart, PhD, specialize in unidentified art and have developed methods for evaluating unsigned works based on their composition and visual elements.

It is important to note that even with extensive research, it may not always be possible to definitively identify the artist of an unsigned painting. However, appraisers and art experts can provide valuable insights and information to help narrow down the possibilities and better understand the artwork in question.

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