COULD YOUR ARTWORK BE BY AN ASHCAN SCHOOL ARTIST?

Previously unknown works by important artists continue to emerge from private collections, estates, inheritances, and long-held family possessions. While authentic works by Boris Artzybasheff 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 original illustration, drawing, painting, or print may be by Boris Artzybasheff, obtaining an independent professional opinion is the appropriate first step. Artzybasheff worked extensively as an illustrator and graphic artist, using media that included gouache, watercolor, ink, woodcut, and wood engraving.

We have specialized in the authentication of works attributed to Boris Artzybasheff 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 Boris Artzybasheff?

From a single photograph of ordinary quality, we can often determine whether a work appears consistent with Boris Artzybasheff’s work or whether it clearly does not. His output ranged from meticulously rendered portraits and book illustrations to surreal anthropomorphic machines and commercial imagery, so the relevant characteristics vary considerably according to the type and date of the work.

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 Boris Artzybasheff today?

Yes. Artzybasheff produced extensive book, magazine, advertising, and independent illustration work over several decades, including more than 200 Time covers, and original works still appear on the market.

Do I need to get my Boris Artzybasheff 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 Boris Artzybasheff authenticated?

Not for you. Send clear photographs of the front and reverse, close-ups of signatures, initials, inscriptions, labels, publication markings, and important details, together with the dimensions and anything known about the work’s history. The investigation itself is our responsibility.

How long does it take to authenticate a Boris Artzybasheff?

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 Boris Artzybasheff?

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 Boris Artzybasheff illustration is authentic?

No. Documented originals may carry his full surname, initials such as “BA,” or other signed inscriptions, and signatures occur in different positions. The markings must be evaluated together with technique, support, provenance, publication history, and the physical characteristics of the work.

Can an unsigned Boris Artzybasheff illustration still be authentic?

Yes. Some documented works are fully signed while others are initialed, so the form of the artist’s marking varies. An unsigned work should be evaluated through technique, materials, provenance, publication history, and comparison with securely attributed originals.

What documents help authenticate a Boris Artzybasheff work?

Any document that mentions, describes, illustrates, or refers to the work may assist the authentication. Original publication records, magazine or book reproductions, invoices, correspondence, photographs, exhibition records, conservation reports, auction records, and family papers can all contribute valuable evidence.

Can a Boris Artzybasheff work be authenticated from photographs?

Yes. High-quality photography is extremely useful for examining drawing technique, paint application, line work, paper or board, signatures, initials, inscriptions, labels, and condition. 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 Boris Artzybasheff?

No. Many works can be authenticated through provenance research, publication research, comparative analysis, and technical examination. Scientific testing may be appropriate when questions remain concerning the age or composition of paper, board, pigments, inks, or other materials.

What if my Boris Artzybasheff has no provenance?

Incomplete provenance is common. When provenance is missing, greater emphasis is placed on technique, materials, publication history, inscriptions, comparative research, and, where appropriate, scientific testing.

Do you issue Certificates of Authenticity for Boris Artzybasheff 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 Boris Artzybasheff artwork worth?

We will appraise your work and determine its value. Medium, subject, date, dimensions, condition, provenance, publication history, and whether the work is an original illustration or an editioned print are important factors; associations with significant magazine covers, books, or commercial commissions may also affect market interest.

SELLING

Can you sell my Boris Artzybasheff 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 Boris Artzybasheff?

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 Boris Artzybasheff?

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 Boris Artzybasheff?

Yes. Authentication, provenance, publication history, 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 Boris Artzybasheff before selling it?

Usually not. Works on paper and illustration board can be particularly sensitive to unnecessary intervention. We generally recommend selling the work in its present condition unless there is a compelling conservation reason to do otherwise.

How long does it take to sell a Boris Artzybasheff?

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 Boris Artzybasheff?

If you enjoy Artzybasheff’s work, certainly. If your primary objective is investment, we can evaluate the proposed acquisition, its quality, publication significance, condition, provenance, and market position.

Can you review a Boris Artzybasheff 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 Boris Artzybasheff?

Three fundamental questions should always be answered: Is it authentic? What is its condition? Is the price reasonable? For Artzybasheff, it is also important to establish whether the work is an original illustration or print, whether it was published, and whether signatures, initials, edition information, or reproductions can confirm its history.

How can I avoid buying a fake Boris Artzybasheff?

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, reproduced, incorrectly described, 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 BORIS ARTZYBASHEFF 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 Boris Artzybasheff, 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.