Priya Kapoor
There are several ways to find the value of an antique painting. Firstly, it is important to determine whether the piece is a painting or a print, as the former is usually more valuable. This can be done by examining the work with a magnifying glass to look for dots, a copyright mark, or a number, which indicate that it is a print. The next step is to identify the artist. The more notable the artist, the higher the value of the painting. The painting's condition is another key factor in determining its value; any cracking, tears, stains, or damage will affect its worth. Other factors that influence a painting's value include its size, colour palette, and frame. Online tools such as Google's Reverse Image Search and findartinfo.com can be used to identify and value a painting. Additionally, auction houses, art dealers, and professional appraisers can provide expert advice and valuations.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Artist's signature | Signifies authenticity |
| Artist's identity | Renowned artists increase value |
| Originality | Originals are more valuable than imitations |
| Medium | Oil on canvas is more valuable |
| Size | Larger paintings have more "wall power" |
| Colour | Red paintings perform better at auction |
| Frame | Original frame increases value |
| Age | Antique frames can indicate age |
| Condition | Damage decreases value |
| Provenance | Previous owners can indicate value |
| Rarity | One-of-a-kind paintings are more valuable |
| Market trends | Supply and demand influence value |
| Appraisal | Professional appraisers provide written statements of value |
What You'll Learn
Research the artist and their other works
If you are looking to research the artist of an antique painting and their other works, there are a few steps you can take. Firstly, it is important to gather as much information as you can about the artist and the artwork itself. This includes the artist's name, the artwork's title, approximate dates the artist was active, the date the piece was created, and the geographic area where the artist lived and worked. If you are unsure of the artist's name, carefully examine the painting for any signatures, marks, labels, or annotations. Removing the frame can help with this process.
Once you have gathered this information, you can begin your research. For artists with little professional literature available, try using genealogical resources such as census documents, city directories, county histories, and local newspaper collections. Many of these resources are freely accessible online. Additionally, you can use online databases and encyclopedias of art, such as Grove Art Online, Oxford Art Online, and the Concise Oxford Dictionary of Art Terms. These resources provide access to thousands of articles and images that can help you identify the artist and their other works.
If you have a digital image of the painting, you can also try running a reverse image search to locate similar images and potentially identify the artist or the specific artwork. Auction websites and art sales indexes can also be useful in identifying the artist and valuing your artwork. Websites such as liveauctioneers.com and findartinfo.com provide access to auction results and prices achieved for specific artists, giving you an idea of the value of your painting.
When researching an artist and their works, it is also important to consider the context of the artwork, including the historical and cultural influences that may have shaped the artist's style and subject matter. By comparing your artwork to similar pieces and artists, you can gain a deeper understanding of its significance and value.
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Check the painting's condition
The condition of an antique painting is a key factor in determining its value. A painting in good condition will be more appealing to buyers and can command a higher price at auction. When assessing the condition of an antique painting, there are several things to consider:
Check for damage
Carefully inspect the painting for any signs of damage, such as cracking, tears, surface stains, or other types of damage. Even small issues can decrease the value of the painting, as they will need to be repaired, and the painting may not be restored to its original state. Fading paint can also impact the value of the painting, as it may be difficult to determine the original colours and shades.
Mounting method
The mounting method of the painting can provide clues about its authenticity and age. An authentic old painting will typically be mounted with nails, and you may be able to spot empty nail holes around the frame. If a supposedly old painting has been mounted with staples and there are no nail holes, it is more likely to be a reproduction.
Texture
The texture of the paint or ink can indicate whether the painting is authentic. In oil paintings, bumps or paint waves are often a sign of authenticity, while a flat surface may indicate a fake. For watercolour paintings, the paper should appear rough around major strokes; a uniformly smooth surface is likely a reproduction.
Frame
The frame of the painting can also impact its value. A richly carved and gilded frame can increase the value of a painting, especially if it is an original frame that matches the time period of the artwork.
Ageing
Check the back of the painting for signs of ageing. This can include discolouration or other signs of wear and tear. This can provide valuable information about the age and history of the painting.
Signature
Check the front and back of the painting for a signature. A signature that has been authenticated can significantly increase the value of a painting. If there is a signature but it hasn't been verified, consider having an expert examine the painting to confirm its authenticity.
It is important to carefully assess the condition of an antique painting to determine its value accurately. By considering the above factors, you can gain a better understanding of the painting's overall condition and any potential impact on its value.
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Assess the painting's size and colour
When assessing the size of an antique painting, it is important to note that size does matter but does not determine the success of a painting by itself. Large canvases tend to be more challenging to sell due to higher prices, shipping costs, and the practical limitations of buyers' spaces. Hence, early-career artists are advised to diversify their artistic output and create smaller works that are more suited to private collectors. However, established artists tend to have more success with larger paintings as they have the resources and gallery support to manage the costs and complexities of exhibiting, shipping, and storing these pieces.
On the other hand, colour plays a significant role in the value of a painting. Colour has three aspects: hue, intensity or saturation, and value. Value refers to how light or dark a colour is on a scale from 1 to 10, with 1 being the darkest or black, and 10 being the lightest or white. This value scale is important for creating contrast between shapes in a painting. To assess the value of a colour in a painting, one technique is to squint your eyes, which diminishes the colour and allows you to see its lightness or darkness more clearly. Another method is to use a viewfinder with a red film, which negates the colour and helps you see the value of the shapes in the painting. Additionally, creating a 10-value scale with white and black paint and mixing gradual shades of grey can help identify the value of a colour by placing the scale over the colour and squinting.
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Contact an appraiser
If you have an antique painting that you would like to get appraised, there are a few steps you can follow to get started. Firstly, it is important to do your research and try to gather as much information about the painting as possible. This includes details such as the name of the artist, the painting's history, its condition, size, materials used, and any marks or signatures present.
Once you have gathered this information, you can begin your search for a qualified art appraiser. You can start by searching online for "art appraisers near me" or "antique appraisers near me". This will provide you with a list of potential appraisers in your area. It is important to look for appraisers with the proper credentials and expertise in appraising antique paintings.
When you have identified a few potential appraisers, you can contact them to discuss your needs. Many appraisers will ask for images or descriptions of the artwork to provide a preliminary assessment and determine the next steps. They may also request an in-person examination of the painting to closely inspect its condition and other factors that contribute to its value.
It is beneficial to contact multiple appraisers to get different opinions and find one that suits your requirements. Some appraisers may charge a fee for their services, so it is essential to inquire about any costs involved. By following these steps, you can take the first steps toward understanding the value and significance of your antique painting.
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Search for similar auction listings
To find similar auction listings for antique paintings, you can refer to auction houses and online marketplaces. Auction houses like Heritage Auctions, with offices in Beverly Hills, Dallas, Chicago, West Palm Beach, New York City, London, Paris, Geneva, Brussels, Amsterdam, and Hong Kong, are a good place to start. They offer a vast array of high-quality artwork, including paintings from Picasso to Pisarro and Frank Frazetta to Shepard Fairey. You can browse their past auction sales online and preview upcoming auctions.
Another reputable auction house is Sotheby's, founded in 1744, with offices worldwide. They provide appraisals, auction estimates, restoration, and repair services for fine and decorative arts. You can also refer to their extensive collection of over 95,000 exhibition, collection, and sales catalogues.
Online auction marketplaces, such as Invaluable (formerly known as Artfact), are another valuable resource. Invaluable is the world's largest online auction marketplace for fine and decorative arts, antiques, collectibles, and estate sales. It offers access to over 160,000 auctions annually and includes millions of complete auction results. You can search for past auction records, artist information, and art sales catalogues dated 1600-1900.
Artsy is another online platform that connects collectors with art from leading auction houses, nonprofit organizations, and sellers worldwide. They feature premium artworks, including modern, contemporary, and street art. You can discover new artists, bid on daily auctions, and find works by your favourite artists.
Additionally, there are subscription-based services like askART, which provide access to millions of auction records, artist profiles, images, literature references, and art price databases. Davenport's Art Reference & Price Guide is another print resource that offers price data on over 275,000 international artists for various art forms, including paintings, and provides auction house information.
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Frequently asked questions
There are a few ways to determine if your painting is valuable. Firstly, you can research the artist and their work to see if they are renowned or recognised. Secondly, you can look at the painting's condition—any tears, stains or damage will affect its value. Thirdly, you can check if the painting is an original or a print. Prints are often less valuable than originals, but there are exceptions.
If you check your painting with a magnifying glass, you may find small, perfectly round dots arranged in a grid, a copyright mark, a number or a signature, which could indicate that it is a print. You can also look at the texture of the painting—if the surface has bumps or paint waves, it is likely to be an original.
You can get your painting appraised by a professional appraiser, who will evaluate your painting and give you a written statement of its value. Alternatively, you can take it to an auction house or art dealer for a valuation. Some auction houses will provide a free estimated value. You can also search for similar paintings by the same artist online to get an idea of the price range.
