Authentication and Evaluation of Paintings - retaining a professional authenticator

Authentication and Evaluation of Paintings

How about retaining a professional authenticator?

Museums and authors are good sources to contact to ask about referrals to a respected authenticator for the artist. Curators at art museums may have expertise in a genre, period, school, or other knowledge to guide you in learning about the authenticity of works of art. They may be willing to refer you to an expert who can answer your questions. At some museums, there are certain days set aside for members of the public to bring in art works for review by staff. Authors of articles and essays who may have written about the artist in question may be found in the TFAO Author Index. You may wish to conduct an internal search of the TFAO site for leads.

Dealers can authenticate works or help locate the appropriate expert. The Art Dealers Association of America says: "A dealer with an extensive history of dealing in a specific artist's work will also build up an archive of information, as well as a body of experience, which can help resolve questions of authorship and title." For the benefit of purchasers, reputable art dealers will guarantee for purchasers the authenticity of their art objects in writing.

Curators, dealers and art consultants may be hesitant to advise people of fraudulent art when they see it, for fear of involvement in potential legal action. They may decline to give advice without saying why in order to protect themselves.

Caution: some referrals to "experts" may not be in your best interests. It's always best when shopping for an important service to select from more than one proposal. References are important if you are not certain about the quality of an expert's opinions. Authentication is many times subjective -- a judgment call -- so second opinions for potentially high value objects can be prudent.

Ask about guarantees and exclusions provided by an authenticator and whether liability insurance is held.

Another source for information is the Authentication Research Service at The International Foundation for Art Research.

Go back to Authentication and Evaluation of Paintings

While Traditional Fine Art Organization, Inc (TFAO) does not provide authentication services, the information in this report is provided as a public service and may be of help to readers studying approaches to authentication and evaluation of their works of art. Names and addresses of consultants or vendors.are provided only as referrals for your further consideration. TFAO is not paid by consultants or vendors for listings in this report and does not receive any referral fees from them. Please use due diligence in employing these or other consultants or vendors. TFAO takes no responsibility for the accuracy of the information herein. Information from the named consultants or vendors may be inaccurate or out of date. TFAO neither recommends or endorses referenced organizations. Although TFAO includes links to other Internet sites, it takes no responsibility for the content or information contained on those other sites, nor exerts any editorial or other control over those other sites. The names, logos, trademarks, and service marks of TFAO and its publications that appear within this web site may not be used in any advertising, publicity, promotion, or in any other manner implying TFAO endorsement, sponsorship, or affiliation with any product or service, without TFAO's prior express written permission.n.