When the owner of Las Vegas' Wynn Hotel waved his hand in the direction of a priceless painting during a meeting with potential buyers, he didn't intend to slash the canvas of one of the priciest paintings in his collection. To assess the damage, appraisers were called to the scene, but before Wynn would agree to underwrite expensive repairs, he asked how the restoration would impact the painting's value. This scenario isn't unusual in the world of art where priceless collections rise and fall on the opinion of appraisers. Granted, your questions and concerns might not be as weighty as Wynn's, but your peace of mind is just as important, so learn what to look for when you put your painting into the hands of an appraiser.
Instructions
1. Determine the originality of the work. Forgeries, replicas and counterfeits often look authentic, courtesy of criminals who know age canvas and paint so it matches that era's materials. If you question a painting's originality, find a laboratory specializing in testing paint and canvas. It has the chemicals and techniques necessary to assess the piece without harming it.
2. Gather archival data on the piece. Classic artwork leaves behind a paper trail. Art stolen during the Holocaust was returned to owners, in large part, due to accurate sale and auction records. Experienced art appraisers unearth ownership provenance chains. Many are so skilled, they can find the person who first purchased the art from the painter.
3. Have the painting authenticated by a reputable art dealer. A painter's fame, body of work and reputation influences a painting's worth. Also impacting the authenticity of a painting are fakes created by highly accomplished artisans. High-profile collectors, dealers and gallery owners are privy to industry news. If a forgery is discovered, even authenticated work by the same artist can come into question.
4. Determine the age of the painting. You may get lucky and find a date by examining the back of the canvas or the surface of the stretcher frame. More likely, the condition of the canvas will tell the age story via its uneven threads or rough texture. You may also find remnants of paint left behind when less-than-satisfactory art caused the painter to reuse the canvas to save money.
5. Ascertain the painting's condition. Even an authenticated Reubens loses value if it isn't in pristine condition. Storing a painting outside a hermetically controlled vault or storage facility weakens everything from canvas threads to paints made from ingredients that decompose over time. Cracks, tears and botched repair attempts won't go unnoticed to the trained eye, either.
6. Evaluate accompanying paperwork. It isn't unusual for fine art to make the rounds of art markets with letters of authenticity, old appraisal assessments and/or certificates attesting to a painting's origins, sales history or artist's credentials. Use caution when you encounter documentation of this nature. Forgers are also astute at replicating credentials.
7. Take into account the uniqueness of the painting in question. One-of-a-kind or unusual art is worth more and will appraise higher than an example of an artist's signature style. For example, if Jackson Pollack had painted a pastoral landscape it would command a much larger price because other Pollack paintings feature his unique "paint splatter" style.
8. Compare the painting to current trends in collecting. Are portraits popular? Does the Botticelli nude typify a hot trend? Are Warhol oils flooding the market? As prices for paintings ebb and flow, if one school of art comes into vogue, paintings in that genre tend to increase in value as demand peaks.
9. Seek additional opinions when an appraisal seems too good to be true or when you have a feeling that you're being low-balled. Shady art dealers are skilled at bullying neophyte buyers and sellers, so walk away if your gut signals it. Keep going until you're confident you've done everything you can to get a proper appraisal.
