Artwork Research Services

Typically Includes:

1. Summary
2. Object Description
3. Artist Research
4. Artwork Identification
5. Provenance
6. Exhibition & Publication History
7. Market Research
8. Comparable Works
9. Sources
10. Findings & Confidence Level
11. Recommended Next Steps
12. Research Limitations

You'll have a documented record of what was investigated, what was discovered, and what remains unknown.

Artwork Research & Provenance services are research services, not formal appraisals or authentication opinions.

A research report does not guarantee authenticity, establish a definitive monetary value, or replace an appraisal by a qualified professional when one is required.

When the research indicates that formal authentication, conservation examination, appraisal, or another specialized opinion would be appropriate, I will identify the type of specialist you should consider consulting.

Artwork research often involves following one clue into another. I look across multiple types of sources where available, including museum collections, auction records, exhibition catalogues, publications, archives, library resources, newspapers, gallery records, and other documentary sources.

And just as importantly, I distinguish between different levels of evidence.

Supported by reliable documentary evidence.

Multiple credible sources point toward the same conclusion.

The available evidence makes a conclusion reasonably likely, but it is not fully documented.

There are clues worth considering, but insufficient evidence for a stronger conclusion.

A claim may exist, but I cannot establish adequate supporting evidence.

You're considering a purchase, researching something already in your collection, or simply want to understand an artwork better.

You've inherited artwork and want to uncover its history before deciding what to keep, sell, insure, donate, or investigate further.

You need artwork and collection information organized during an estate transition.

You have an artist or artwork that needs deeper historical, provenance, exhibition, bibliographic, or market research.

You need research support for a project but don't have the time to conduct the archival and market research yourself.

Sometimes you don't need a full report yet. You just need to know whether an artwork is worth investigating—and what information you should gather first.

We will look at what you have and discuss:

• What the visible clues may tell us
• What additional photographs or documentation would be useful
• Whether the artwork appears researchable
• What kinds of research may be worthwhile

Typical turnaround: 2-3 business days.

Please include a valid email address in the notes section of the checkout process for service communications.

You'll provide photographs and whatever information you already have. I'll investigate the available evidence and prepare a concise, professionally presented research report for one single artwork.

Artwork Identification
Artist, title, date, medium, dimensions, subject, and other identifying information.

Artist Research
Biographical and art-historical information relevant to the artwork.

Signature & Mark Research
Investigation of signatures, inscriptions, labels, stamps, gallery marks, and other clues.

Provenance Research
Investigation of documented and reported ownership history and other provenance evidence.

Exhibition & Publication History
Research into exhibitions, catalogues, books, newspapers, archives, and other relevant references.

Auction & Market Research
Research into documented sales and relevant comparable works where records are available.

Sources & Evidence
A record of the principal sources used in the research.

Findings & Confidence
A clear distinction between what is documented, strongly supported, probable, possible, or unable to be established.

Recommended Next Steps
If additional authentication, conservation, appraisal, archival research, or specialist consultation appears appropriate, I'll explain what kind of expertise may be useful.

Typical turnaround: 5–7 business days.

Please include a valid email address in the notes section of the checkout process for service communications.

You may have dozens of paintings, prints, photographs, or other objects—and no idea which ones matter. Especially when a collection has been inherited. 

Rather than treating every object the same, I can help you organize, identify, and prioritize the collection.

A collection research project can include:

• Creating an organized artwork inventory
• Recording available identifying information
• Researching artists and objects
• Reviewing signatures, labels, and documentation
• Conducting preliminary provenance and market research
• Identifying works that warrant deeper investigation
• Flagging objects that may merit formal appraisal or authentication
• Organizing research findings into a useful collection report

The goal isn't simply to tell you what you have.

It's to help you figure out where your attention—and your money—should go next.

Collection project turnaround time varies and is individually quoted based on the number of artworks and depth of research required. The starting fee is $750 and may have additional fees depending on size and depth of the project.

Please include a valid email address in the notes section of the checkout process for service communications.