COULD YOUR PAINTING BE BY PIETER AERTSEN?

Previously unknown works by important artists continue to emerge from private collections, estates, inheritances, and long-held family possessions. While authentic works by Pieter Aertsen may be rare, every painting deserves to be evaluated on its own merits rather than dismissed simply because it is unfamiliar or undocumented.

If you believe your painting may be by Pieter Aertsen, obtaining an independent professional opinion is the appropriate first step.

We have specialized in the authentication of works attributed to Pieter Aertsen since 2002. We issue Certificates of Authenticity (COAs), Authentication Reports, appraisals, valuations, provenance reports, and provide buying, selling, brokerage, and investment advisory services for collectors, attorneys, insurers, financial institutions, estates, museums, and private clients worldwide.

Getting started is straightforward. Simply send us photographs of the painting together with its dimensions and any information you have regarding its history or ownership. Include clear images of the front, reverse, edges, support, paint surface, signatures, inscriptions, labels, and other important details.

AUTHENTICATION

Is this a Pieter Aertsen?

From a single photograph of ordinary quality, we can often determine whether a painting appears consistent with Pieter Aertsen’s work or whether it clearly does not. His documented paintings include large religious compositions, market and kitchen scenes, and works combining prominent still-life elements with biblical episodes, so subject, composition, technique, and support must be considered together.

What services do you provide?

We provide authentication, certification, Certificates of Authenticity (COAs), Authentication Reports, appraisals and valuations, provenance research, private sales and brokerage, investment advice, and analytical art market research.

Is it possible to discover a previously unknown Pieter Aertsen today?

Yes. Aertsen worked during the sixteenth century, and many paintings from this period have experienced changes of ownership, attribution, condition, or documentation over centuries. A previously unidentified work can therefore merit investigation when its physical and stylistic characteristics warrant it.

Do I need to get my Pieter Aertsen authenticated?

Yes. Authentication is essential if you wish to sell your painting for its full market value. It is also important for insurance, estate planning, charitable donations, financing, and many legal purposes.

Is it complicated to get a Pieter Aertsen authenticated?

Not for you. Send photographs of the front and reverse, close-ups of the paint surface, wooden support, signature or monogram if present, dimensions, and anything you know about the painting’s history. The investigation itself is our responsibility.

How long does it take to authenticate a Pieter Aertsen?

It depends on how much is already known about the painting when we begin the investigation. In the simplest cases, authenticity can be confirmed within a couple of weeks. More complex cases may require several months.

How much does it cost to authenticate a Pieter Aertsen?

From the low hundreds to the high thousands. It depends on how much is already known and documented, where relevant archives are located, and whether travel or scientific testing is required.

Can a signature alone prove that a Pieter Aertsen painting is authentic?

No. Signed and dated works associated with Aertsen are documented, but a signature or monogram must agree with the painting’s materials, technique, support, date, composition, and provenance. Signature evidence is only one component of an attribution.

Can an unsigned Pieter Aertsen painting still be authentic?

Yes. The absence of a signature does not by itself exclude an attribution to Pieter Aertsen. Technique, materials, panel construction, composition, provenance, and comparison with securely attributed paintings must be considered together.

What documents help authenticate a Pieter Aertsen painting?

Any document that mentions, describes, illustrates, or refers to the painting may assist the authentication. Photographs, invoices, correspondence, exhibition records, conservation reports, insurance documents, auction records, collection inventories, and family papers can all contribute valuable evidence.

Can a Pieter Aertsen painting be authenticated from photographs?

Yes. High-quality photography allows us to examine composition, figures, still-life elements, paint handling, surface characteristics, inscriptions, panel construction, and condition remotely. When additional evidence is required, we may recommend an in-person examination. We examine works worldwide.

Is it always necessary to perform scientific analyses of a Pieter Aertsen?

No. Many paintings can be authenticated through research, provenance investigation, comparative analysis, and technical examination. When necessary, examination of the wooden panel, ground, pigments, underdrawing, paint layers, or later restorations may provide important evidence.

What if my Pieter Aertsen has no provenance?

Incomplete provenance is common with paintings that are approximately five centuries old. When provenance is incomplete, authentication relies more heavily on comparative research, technical examination, photography, and, where appropriate, scientific analysis.

Do you issue Certificates of Authenticity for Pieter Aertsen works?

Yes. Upon completion of the authentication, we issue a Certificate of Authenticity (COA) together with a detailed and fully referenced Authentication Report.

APPRAISALS & VALUATIONS

How much is my Pieter Aertsen painting worth?

We will appraise your painting and determine its value. Important factors include attribution, date, subject, dimensions, quality, condition, provenance, rarity, and market demand; major religious compositions and Aertsen’s characteristic market, kitchen, and still-life-related subjects must be evaluated in relation to securely attributed examples.

SELLING

Can you sell my Pieter Aertsen for me?

Yes. We specialize in private sales but use every appropriate selling method to obtain the highest possible net price. We manage the process professionally, confidentially, and on your behalf.

Do I need an appraisal before selling my Pieter Aertsen?

Yes. Your painting should be priced correctly for the country, market, and method of sale. An independent appraisal helps prevent both underpricing and overpricing.

Do I need authentication before selling my Pieter Aertsen?

Yes. Without authentication, your painting may sell for only a fraction of its potential market value.

Can you help me maximize the selling price of my Pieter Aertsen?

Yes. Authentication, provenance, valuation, timing, presentation, and the chosen sales method can all influence the final result. We also provide collection management advice designed to maximize value.

Should I restore my Pieter Aertsen before selling it?

Usually not. Buyers often have their own preferences regarding conservation and restoration. We generally recommend selling the painting in its present condition unless there is a compelling conservation reason to do otherwise.

How long does it take to sell a Pieter Aertsen?

Higher-value paintings generally require more time to sell because there are fewer qualified buyers. Correct pricing, strong documentation, and the appropriate sales method all contribute to a successful sale.

BUYING & ADVISORY

Should I buy a Pieter Aertsen?

If you enjoy Pieter Aertsen’s work, certainly. If your primary objective is investment, we can evaluate the proposed acquisition and alternative opportunities.

Can you review a Pieter Aertsen before I buy it?

Yes. We provide independent pre-purchase research and analysis for collectors and investors. We also prepare predictive art market forecasts and Buy-Hold-Sell recommendations.

What should I check before buying a Pieter Aertsen?

Three fundamental questions should always be answered: Is it authentic? What is its condition? Is the price reasonable? For a sixteenth-century Aertsen attribution, the wooden support, paint layers, restoration history, provenance, signature or monogram, and relationship to securely documented compositions can also be important.

How can I avoid buying a fake Pieter Aertsen?

Call us before you buy. An independent review before completing the purchase is one of the simplest ways to reduce the risk of acquiring a forged or misattributed painting.

Can you advise me on building a collection?

Yes. We advise collectors on the financial aspects of acquisition, ownership, collection management, and eventual sale.

REQUEST A PIETER AERTSEN AUTHENTICATION OR APPRAISAL

Whether you require authentication, a Certificate of Authenticity, an appraisal, valuation, provenance research, buying advice, selling assistance, brokerage, or investment guidance regarding a work attributed to Pieter Aertsen, our specialists are available to assist.

Complete the contact form below or call us at +1 (212) 658-0466 to discuss your work with one of our experts.