COULD YOUR ARTWORK BE BY ANDRÉ BRETON?

Previously unknown works by important artists continue to emerge from private collections, estates, inheritances, and long-held family possessions. Works attributed to André Breton can include drawings, collaborative drawings, collages, watercolor and mixed-media works, making careful examination of the specific object essential.

If you believe your drawing, collage, watercolor, or mixed-media work may be by André Breton, obtaining an independent professional opinion is the appropriate first step.

We have specialized in the authentication of works attributed to André Breton 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 by André Breton?

From a single photograph of ordinary quality, we can often determine whether a work appears consistent with André Breton’s known drawings, collages, or mixed-media works or whether it clearly does not. A first impression may not be definitive because Breton’s documented works include collaborative and experimental pieces as well as individual works.

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 André Breton work today?

Yes. Works can remain in private collections, family possessions, estates, or undocumented holdings for decades, and Breton’s surviving body of drawings and mixed-media works includes objects whose attribution requires individual examination.

Do I need to get my André Breton 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 an André Breton work authenticated?

Not for you. Simply send us photographs from appropriate angles, close-ups of important details, the dimensions, and anything you know about the work’s history. For works on paper, photographs of the front and reverse and clear images of inscriptions or markings are particularly useful.

How long does it take to authenticate an André Breton work?

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 an André Breton work?

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

Can a signature alone prove that an André Breton drawing or collage is authentic?

No. A signature or inscription must be considered together with the work’s materials, technique, handwriting or markings where relevant, provenance, dating, and other evidence.

Can an unsigned André Breton drawing still be authentic?

Yes. The absence of a signature does not by itself establish that a drawing is inauthentic, particularly where attribution can be supported by other evidence. Collaborative drawings and works involving several participants also require careful consideration of authorship and markings.

What documents help authenticate an André Breton drawing or collage?

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

Can an André Breton drawing or collage be authenticated from photographs?

Yes. High-quality photography is an extremely useful authentication tool and allows us to study paper, technique, inscriptions, surface characteristics, and other important details 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 an André Breton work?

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

What if my André Breton work has no provenance?

Incomplete provenance is common. When provenance is incomplete, authentication relies more heavily on research, technical examination, photography, and, where appropriate, scientific testing.

Do you issue Certificates of Authenticity for André Breton 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 André Breton drawing or collage worth?

We will appraise your work and determine its value. Principal factors include medium, technique, dimensions, condition, provenance, rarity, date, authorship, and market demand.

SELLING

Can you sell my André Breton work 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 André Breton work?

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 André Breton work?

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 André Breton work?

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 André Breton drawing or collage before selling it?

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

How long does it take to sell an André Breton work?

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 an André Breton work?

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

Can you review an André Breton work 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 an André Breton work?

Three fundamental questions should always be answered: Is it authentic? What is its condition? Is the price reasonable? For drawings and mixed-media works, the specific technique, materials, provenance, and any collaborative or inscriptional evidence may also be important.

How can I avoid buying a fake André Breton work?

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 an André Breton collection?

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

REQUEST A ANDRÉ BRETON 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 André Breton, 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.