COULD YOUR PAINTING BE BY MATHIAS ALTEN?

Previously unknown works by important artists continue to emerge from private collections, estates, inheritances, and long-held family possessions. While authentic works by Mathias Alten 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 Mathias Alten, obtaining an independent professional opinion is the appropriate first step.

We have specialized in the authentication of works attributed to Mathias Alten 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. After reviewing the material, we will recommend the most appropriate course of action.

AUTHENTICATION

Is this a Mathias Alten?

From a clear photograph, we can often determine whether a painting appears consistent with Alten’s work or whether it clearly does not. His documented production exceeds 3,000 works and encompasses landscapes, seascapes, portraits, florals, and still lifes, with differences in handling reflecting subject, period, and location.

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 Mathias Alten today?

Yes. Alten was exceptionally prolific, creating more than 3,000 works during his career, and previously unrecorded paintings can still emerge from private collections, estates, and long-held family possessions.

Do I need to get my Mathias Alten 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 Mathias Alten authenticated?

Not for you. Send us clear photographs of the front and reverse, close-ups of the paint surface, signature or inscriptions, labels, stamps, support, and frame, together with 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 Mathias Alten?

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 Mathias Alten?

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 Mathias Alten painting is authentic?

No. “M. Alten” is a documented signature form used throughout his career, sometimes accompanied by a date, but a signature must still be evaluated with the paint handling, materials, support, provenance, and age of the painting.

Can an unsigned Mathias Alten painting still be authentic?

Yes. The absence of a signature does not by itself make a painting inauthentic. Attribution depends on the complete visual, documentary, and technical evidence.

What documents help authenticate a Mathias Alten 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, collection records, auction records, and family papers can all contribute valuable evidence.

Can a Mathias Alten painting be authenticated from photographs?

Yes. High-quality photography allows us to examine composition, brushwork, surface, support, signature, inscriptions, condition, 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 Mathias Alten?

No. Many paintings can be assessed through research, provenance investigation, comparative analysis, and technical examination. Scientific testing is generally reserved for more difficult cases when questions remain concerning pigments, ground, canvas, panel, board, or other materials.

What if my Mathias Alten has no provenance?

Incomplete provenance is common. When provenance is missing or fragmentary, authentication relies more heavily on comparative research, technical examination, photography, documentary investigation, and, where appropriate, scientific testing.

Do you issue Certificates of Authenticity for Mathias Alten 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 Mathias Alten painting worth?

We will appraise your painting and determine its value. Important factors include date, subject, dimensions, support, condition, provenance, quality, and market demand, with landscapes, seascapes, portraits, florals, and still lifes all represented in his documented production.

SELLING

Can you sell my Mathias Alten 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 Mathias Alten?

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 Mathias Alten?

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 Mathias Alten?

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 Mathias Alten 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 intervene.

How long does it take to sell a Mathias Alten?

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 Mathias Alten?

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

Can you review a Mathias Alten 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 Mathias Alten?

Three fundamental questions should always be answered: Is it authentic? What is its condition? Is the price reasonable? The support, date, provenance, and signature should also correspond with documented examples, which include oils on canvas, panel, board, and canvas mounted to board.

How can I avoid buying a fake Mathias Alten?

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 MATHIAS ALTEN 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 Mathias Alten, 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.