COULD YOUR PAINTING BE BY JEAN-MICHEL BASQUIAT?

Previously unknown works by important artists continue to emerge from private collections, estates, inheritances, and long-held family possessions. While authentic works by Jean-Michel Basquiat 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 or work on paper may be by Jean-Michel Basquiat, obtaining an independent professional opinion is the appropriate first step.

We have specialized in the authentication of works attributed to Jean-Michel Basquiat 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 front and reverse of the work, close-ups of inscriptions, labels, stamps, signatures, and other important details, 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 Jean-Michel Basquiat?

From a single photograph of ordinary quality, we can often determine whether a work appears consistent with Basquiat’s work or whether it clearly does not. A first impression may not be definitive because his paintings and works on paper vary considerably in materials, scale, execution, imagery, inscriptions, and degree of finish.

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 Jean-Michel Basquiat today?

Yes. Basquiat worked intensively during a relatively short career and produced paintings, drawings, and other works on paper that entered private collections through different channels. Previously undocumented works may therefore still emerge, but each example requires careful independent investigation.

Do I need to get my Jean-Michel Basquiat 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 Jean-Michel Basquiat authenticated?

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

How long does it take to authenticate a Jean-Michel Basquiat?

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 Jean-Michel Basquiat?

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 Jean-Michel Basquiat painting is authentic?

No. A signature, name, crown motif, inscription, or other marking cannot establish authenticity by itself. It must be evaluated together with the work’s materials, technique, imagery, construction, provenance, date, and relationship to securely documented works.

Can an unsigned Jean-Michel Basquiat painting still be authentic?

Yes. Basquiat did not sign every work in the same manner, and the absence of a conventional signature does not by itself make a painting inauthentic. Authentication must consider the entire object and its history.

What documents help authenticate a Jean-Michel Basquiat 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, auction records, shipping records, and family papers can all contribute valuable evidence.

Can a Jean-Michel Basquiat painting be authenticated from photographs?

Yes. High-quality photography is an extremely useful authentication tool and allows us to study the composition, surface, materials, support, inscriptions, labels, stamps, 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 Jean-Michel Basquiat?

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

What if my Jean-Michel Basquiat has no provenance?

Incomplete provenance does not automatically exclude a work from consideration, but provenance can be especially important for an artist with a major international market. When documentation is incomplete, authentication relies more heavily on technical examination, materials, construction, imagery, inscriptions, documentary research, and, where appropriate, scientific testing.

Do you issue Certificates of Authenticity for Jean-Michel Basquiat 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 Jean-Michel Basquiat painting worth?

We will appraise your painting and determine its value. Important factors include date, medium, dimensions, subject and imagery, provenance, exhibition history, condition, quality, rarity, and current market demand.

SELLING

Can you sell my Jean-Michel Basquiat 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 Jean-Michel Basquiat?

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 Jean-Michel Basquiat?

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 Jean-Michel Basquiat?

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 Jean-Michel Basquiat before selling it?

Usually not. Basquiat frequently used unconventional materials and supports, and buyers may have their own preferences regarding conservation. We generally recommend selling the work in its present condition unless there is a compelling reason for professional conservation.

How long does it take to sell a Jean-Michel Basquiat?

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 Jean-Michel Basquiat?

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

Can you review a Jean-Michel Basquiat 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 Jean-Michel Basquiat?

Three fundamental questions should always be answered: Is it authentic? What is its condition? Is the price reasonable? For Basquiat, provenance, date, materials, support, exhibition history, and documentary evidence can also be especially important.

How can I avoid buying a fake Jean-Michel Basquiat?

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 JEAN-MICHEL BASQUIAT 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 Jean-Michel Basquiat, 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.