If you're reading this, there's a high possibility you have a prized antique picture in your home that you've had for years, or you might have an unloved item of art stowed away in the attic.
For a long time, the American folk art industry has been booming. While the preferences of philanthropist and collector Abby Aldrich Rockefeller were avant-garde in the 1920s and 1930s, American folk art has remained popular in the late 20th and early 21st centuries, according to Amelia Jeffers.
The majority of vintage paintings, antique folk arts, prints, and etchings have a low market value and can be difficult to trade. Even if you're not an expert on art or a valuation expert, you can still seek for a few indicators to evaluate if that painting is worth something. Let’s find out how.
Do you know? Leonardo da Vinci's Salvator Mundi is the most expensive work of art. It sold for $450,312,500 at auction.
• Who is the artist?
It will automatically be worth more if it is by a well-known artist simply because of the name associated to it. If the artist isn't well-known, though, you should nonetheless conduct study. This may be wonderful news for you and your painting if the artist was significant in some way. If the artist died young and only painted a few works, the painting gains even greater value.
Look for a signature, initials, or monogram to identify the artist. For comparison, there are a lot of internet resources featuring artist signatures.
• Previous Owner
Finding out who had the painting before hand is a helpful indicator of how to tell if it's valuable.
If the painting was held by someone influential or well-known in the art world, there was probably a reason for it.
Furthermore, it increases the painting's worth by indicating who previously owned it.
You can also inquire whether they have any further receipts or documentation for the painting. By looking at the back of the painting, you can figure out who owned it.
If you can't locate any information, you should be able to take it to a museum, university, or another appraiser to find out who previously owned it and confirm that it is genuine.
In 2011, a particularly fine unsigned 18th century folk art portrait depicting Abigail Rose of North Branford, Connecticut, brought a record $1.27 million at Skinner. This is one of only three American folk art portraits to have surpassed the million dollar mark at auction.
• Is it original or copy?
If you are able to prove that the painting was created by the artist or you have receipts in your possession, there are fair chances you to get a higher amount.
Look for labels or stickers from a gallery or museum on the back of the painting, Use a magnifying glass, examine the object to see if it was painted or printed. It's evidently a print if the surface is made up of tiny regular dots of colour. Even if the imitation is excellent, the actual thing is always far more precious than the replica.
• Condition of the painting
When it comes to paintings, the state of the work is crucial to its entire value. Make sure there aren't any rips, tears, or breaks in the fabric. If there are flaws in the artwork, the value will be reduced.
Examine your artwork for cracks, tears, surface stains, or other damage. If a close inspection is required, wear gloves. Be careful, because nothing could be more detrimental to your artwork than damaging it while inspecting it.
• Frame of the Painting
We've discussed the painting's condition, and now it's time to discuss the frame. Some paintings are framed in ornately carved and gilded frames, while others appear to be something you'd find in a craft store. The artist may have handcrafted the frame, which will add to the artwork's worth.
The frame should match the painting's century, but 19th century frames are historically more elaborate and can offer more value than 20th century frames.
An old piece of art should not have its frame removed. This has the potential to devalue or harm the work. In addition, the frame itself may be valuable.
• Size of the painting
Size contributes to what industry insiders refer to as “wall power.” Does the picture, in general, surprise you? Does it entice you? When people walk into the room, do they look at it?
This is referred to as “wall power.” It is one of the most significant cost factors.
• Colors of the painting
Colors have a way of manipulating our perceptions, and their use in paintings is no exception. You're in luck if your picture has a lot of red. Paintings with red in them have a history of performing better at auction than other works.
For example, Gerard Richter's painting Blood Red Mirror sold for $1.1 million. Concetto spaziale, Attese by Lucio Fontano was another all-red artwork that sold for a lot of money. This one fetched $1.5 million at auction.
• What was it Painted On?
The sort of material on which the artwork was painted also has an impact.
For example, if you have a vintage folk art for sale which is done on canvas, it will attract more attention compared to one done on paper in general. Paintings are also more expensive than prints or sketches.
Last but not the least
• The Subject
The painting's subject matter is also a consideration in determining its value.
Portraits of beautiful women have traditionally sold for more money than paintings of males. Consider Da Vinci's Mona Lisa, Georgia O' Keeffe's Flower paintings, and Edward Hopper's Nighthawks, which are among the most well-known paintings in the world.
Landscape paintings, for example, can be difficult to master. Landscapes that are happy, bright, and colourful are valued more than those that are dark and depressing.
Use these techniques to determine whether a painting is valuable or not. Even with these techniques, determining whether or not your painting is worth anything might be tough, but it will give you a fair idea of value of the artwork.
