COULD YOUR PAINTING BE BY PEDER ALS?

Previously unknown works by important artists continue to emerge from private collections, estates, inheritances, and long-held family possessions. While authentic works by Peder Als may be rare, every work 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 Peder Als, obtaining an independent professional opinion is the appropriate first step.

We have specialized in the authentication of works attributed to Peder Als 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 work together with its dimensions and any information you have regarding its history or ownership. After reviewing the material, we will recommend the most appropriate course of action.

AUTHENTICATION

Is this a Peder Als?

From a single photograph of ordinary quality, we can often determine whether a painting appears consistent with Als’s work or whether it clearly does not. Als was a Danish painter particularly associated with portraiture. He trained under Carl Gustaf Pilo, whose Rococo portrait style strongly influenced his early work, and his later development reflected his period of study in Rome and contact with Anton Raphael Mengs.

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 Peder Als today?

Yes. Eighteenth-century portraits can remain in families, estates, historic houses, and private collections for generations without complete documentation or secure attribution. This makes the emergence of previously unrecorded or incorrectly attributed works possible.

Do I need to get my Peder Als authenticated?

Yes. Authentication is essential if you wish to sell your work 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 Peder Als authenticated?

Not for you. Simply send us photographs of the front and reverse, close-up photographs of the signature, inscriptions, labels, surface, and important details, the dimensions, and anything you know about the painting’s history. The investigation itself is our responsibility.

How long does it take to authenticate a Peder Als?

It depends on how much is already known about the work 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 Peder Als?

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 Peder Als painting is authentic?

No. A signature must be evaluated together with the painting’s technique, materials, support, date, provenance, and other physical and documentary evidence. Documented paintings by Als include signed and dated examples, but unsigned works attributed to him are also known.

Can an unsigned Peder Als painting still be authentic?

Yes. An unsigned painting can still be authentic. A documented portrait attributed to Als has, for example, appeared on the market unsigned but with an attribution inscribed on the reverse. Signature evidence therefore needs to be considered as part of the work as a whole rather than in isolation.

What documents help authenticate a Peder Als painting?

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

Can a Peder Als painting be authenticated from photographs?

Yes. High-quality photography is an extremely useful authentication tool and allows us to study the composition, handling of the sitter, paint surface, signature or inscriptions, support, reverse, labels, and other important characteristics 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 Peder Als?

No. Many paintings can be authenticated through research, provenance investigation, comparative analysis, and technical examination. Scientific testing is generally reserved for more difficult cases when questions remain concerning the age or composition of the materials.

What if my Peder Als has no provenance?

Incomplete provenance is common, particularly with eighteenth-century portraits that may have descended through families for generations. When provenance is incomplete, authentication relies more heavily on documentary research, comparative study, technical examination, photography, and, where appropriate, scientific testing.

Do you issue Certificates of Authenticity for Peder Als 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 Peder Als painting worth?

We will appraise your painting and determine its value. Important factors include the identity and historical significance of the sitter, dimensions, date, quality, condition, provenance, rarity, and current market demand. Als received important portrait commissions from aristocratic and royal circles, making identification of the sitter and historical context particularly relevant.

SELLING

Can you sell my Peder Als 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 Peder Als?

Yes. Your work 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 Peder Als?

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

Can you help me maximize the selling price of my Peder Als?

Yes. Authentication, provenance, identification of the sitter, 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 Peder Als 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 reason to do otherwise.

How long does it take to sell a Peder Als?

Higher-value works 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 Peder Als?

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

Can you review a Peder Als 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 Peder Als?

Three fundamental questions should always be answered: Is it authentic? What is its condition? Is the price reasonable? For an Als portrait, the sitter’s identity, provenance, date, inscriptions, and relationship to documented portraits can also be particularly important. His early works can be closely related to Pilo’s compositions and technique, making careful attribution especially necessary.

How can I avoid buying a fake Peder Als?

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 work.

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 PEDER ALS 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 Peder Als, 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.