# How do I get a painting appraised? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [December 14, 2006, 5:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-get-a-painting-appraised/384081 "2006-12-14T05:15:02Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 13\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![blondebear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blondebear/32/1022_2.png) [@blondebear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blondebear)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2006, 5:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-get-a-painting-appraised/384081/1 "2006-12-14T05:15:02Z")
Since The Antiques Roadshow isn’t in town, I figured a Doper or two might be able to point me in the right direction. I picked up a painting at a thrift shop the other day, for no other reason than I liked the style. It’s a 23x46 oil on canvas in excellent condition, signed by, and with a brass tag saying “ **Anton Gutknecht** ”. Perfect piece to put over the sofa. Cost me $13. Being the curious type, I googled him up and was amazed to discover that his stuff has gone for $700-$5,900. Of course, I have no way whatsoever to determine this painting’s provenance. But, on the other hand, I have no reason to suspect that it is a fake or forgery. Is there an inexpensive way to get a fair appraisal of such a painting? ---
**Author:** ![xiix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/d6d6ee/32.png) [@xiix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/xiix)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2006, 5:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-get-a-painting-appraised/384081/2 "2006-12-14T05:33:05Z")
send it to me, I will take a look at it and ummm, get back to you. ---
**Author:** ![david8686a\_netscape.net](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/david8686a_netscape.net/32/3352_2.png) [@david8686a\_netscape.net](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/david8686a_netscape.net)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2006, 3:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-get-a-painting-appraised/384081/3 "2006-12-14T15:28:35Z")
I inherited a painting by “Beanie” Backus and had no idea of the value, so I searched (pre Google) for galleries who carried similar work by the artist and his comrades. I located one who would do a written appraisal for $50 if I could provide a very clear photo (pre digital) of the painting and the signature. As it turned out, it was quite collectible and sold on eBay very quickly. Look around and see who has works by the same artist and give them a call. I learned a lot and had a good time researching the artist and the painting. Best of luck on your search. D ---
**Author:** ![Triskadecamus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b19c9b/32.png) [@Triskadecamus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Triskadecamus)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2006, 3:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-get-a-painting-appraised/384081/4 "2006-12-14T15:33:30Z")
I got a fairly representative set of evaluations for two paintings I inherited not all that long ago. It mostly took emailing digital copies (front and _ **back!** _) of the paintings to several dealers. Rather than just getting an appraisal, I was looking for bids, which I got from two guys. Tris ---
**Author:** ![rabbit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/919ad9/32.png) [@rabbit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rabbit)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2006, 3:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-get-a-painting-appraised/384081/5 "2006-12-14T15:53:03Z")
you can also email museum/art galleries. I had a sculpture I was trying to get info on and emailed several museums. Was given some helpful information from the lady that responded, including a suggestion of what it might be and some local dealers that might be willing to help. ---
**Author:** ![Lissa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/85f322/32.png) [@Lissa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lissa)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2006, 3:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-get-a-painting-appraised/384081/6 "2006-12-14T15:55:11Z")
Call your local museum or historical society and ask who they recommend. An antiques store or gallery isn’t always your best bet, especially if you express interest in selling it. I’ve heard some very sad stories along those lines. ---
**Author:** ![SanVito](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sanvito/32/2805_2.png) [@SanVito](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SanVito)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2006, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-get-a-painting-appraised/384081/7 "2006-12-14T17:43:45Z")
Large auction houses, like Christies, provide a free valuation service where they will estimate the auction value. You can even apply online! [http://www.christies.com/clientServices/AuctionEstimates/AboutAE.asp](http://www.christies.com/clientServices/AuctionEstimates/AboutAE.asp) ---
**Author:** ![Full\_Metal\_Lotus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/df705f/32.png) [@Full\_Metal\_Lotus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Full_Metal_Lotus)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2006, 11:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-get-a-painting-appraised/384081/8 "2006-12-14T23:01:57Z")
some general rules for art appraisal: 1. (A cliche, but true) Something is worth what people will pay for it 2. Do your research… Google the artist’s name 3. A good appraiser charges for the service… arrange an up front fee BEFORE you mention artist’s name, or how you obtained painting… avoid “commision evaluations” - 5% of value tends to inflate value 4. aside from art galleries, ask an insurance company to appraise it, again, negotiate a flat fee before painting’s information is revealed 5. I can find a nice (but worthless) painting at a thrift shop, pay $25 bucks for a brass tag, have it nicely framed and put it on e-bay 6. DO NOT have the painting “restored/cleaned/remounted” or changed in any way… most of these attempts will actually devalue the work of a signifigant artist, and can cost a lot 7)Learn your terminology, “Providence, Condition, Owner’s Valuation, and Owner’s Obligation” all have very precise meansings and can affect the “raw appraised value” greatly… hope this helps Regards (and good luck) FML 4) ---
**Author:** ![commasense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/commasense/32/3017_2.png) [@commasense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/commasense)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2006, 12:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-get-a-painting-appraised/384081/9 "2006-12-15T00:19:46Z")
[QUOTE=Full Metal Lotus] 7)Learn your terminology, “Providence, Condition, Owner’s Valuation, and Owner’s Obligation” all have very precise meansings and can affect the “raw appraised value” greatly… [/QUOTE] Speaking of precise meanings, I think you meant _provenance_, not providence. ---
**Author:** ![don\_t\_ask](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@don\_t\_ask](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/don_t_ask)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2006, 12:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-get-a-painting-appraised/384081/10 "2006-12-15T00:40:39Z")
Maybe you should check out [Who the Fuck is Jackson Pollock?](http://www.empiremovies.com/movies.php?id=11940&whothe$) first. ---
**Author:** ![A.R.Cane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ee7513/32.png) [@A.R.Cane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/A.R.Cane)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2006, 12:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-get-a-painting-appraised/384081/11 "2006-12-15T00:59:05Z")
You might try calling your insurance agent for a referral , they often have use for appraisers. I lost a watch in a burglary and the insurance company had an appraiser contact me. I paid about $300 for it and the appraiser allowed $1000 on my claim just from my description of the watch. I think it would be a good source for a reputable appraiser. ---
**Author:** ![Full\_Metal\_Lotus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/df705f/32.png) [@Full\_Metal\_Lotus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Full_Metal_Lotus)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2006, 3:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-get-a-painting-appraised/384081/12 "2006-12-15T03:14:05Z")
thanks commasense ---
**Author:** ![blondebear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blondebear/32/1022_2.png) [@blondebear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blondebear)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2006, 5:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-get-a-painting-appraised/384081/13 "2006-12-15T05:29:53Z")
Thanks for all the feedback! You know, I initially had no interest whatsoever in selling the painting. But, since I just got hit with a gigantic car repair bill, I’m a little more motivated to discover what it might be worth.