COULD YOUR ARTWORK BE BY MARY CASSATT?

Previously unknown works by important artists continue to emerge from private collections, estates, inheritances, and long-held family possessions. While authentic works by Mary Cassatt 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, pastel, drawing, or print may be by Mary Cassatt, obtaining an independent professional opinion is the appropriate first step. Cassatt worked extensively in painting and works on paper and was also an accomplished and technically innovative printmaker.

We have specialized in the authentication of works attributed to Mary Cassatt 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 Mary Cassatt?

From a single photograph of ordinary quality, we can often determine whether a work appears consistent with Cassatt’s work or whether it clearly does not. Her practice encompassed paintings, pastels, drawings, and technically varied prints, so the characteristics relevant to attribution depend partly on the medium.

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 Mary Cassatt today?

Yes. Cassatt had a long career and produced paintings and substantial bodies of works on paper, including drawings, pastels, proofs, and prints. Works that have remained in private collections or families can still come to wider attention.

Do I need to get my Mary Cassatt 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 Mary Cassatt authenticated?

Not for you. Send us clear photographs of the front and reverse, close-ups of signatures, inscriptions, labels, paper or canvas, and 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 Mary Cassatt?

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 Mary Cassatt?

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 Mary Cassatt painting is authentic?

No. Cassatt signed works, but a signature must be evaluated together with the painting’s materials, technique, support, surface, provenance, and other physical and documentary evidence.

Can an unsigned Mary Cassatt painting still be authentic?

Yes. The absence of a signature does not by itself make a painting inauthentic. Attribution must be based on the combined physical, stylistic, technical, and documentary evidence.

What documents help authenticate a Mary Cassatt 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, and family papers can all contribute valuable evidence.

Can a Mary Cassatt painting be authenticated from photographs?

Yes. High-quality photography is an extremely useful authentication tool and allows us to study paint application, surface, support, signatures, inscriptions, labels, and other 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 Mary Cassatt?

No. Many works can be authenticated through research, provenance investigation, analysis, 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 Mary Cassatt 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 Mary Cassatt 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 Mary Cassatt worth?

We will appraise your work and determine its value. Medium, date, subject, dimensions, quality, condition, provenance, rarity, and market demand are important valuation factors; for prints, the technique, state, impression, paper, and edition information may also be significant. Cassatt worked in sophisticated printmaking techniques including drypoint, softground etching, and aquatint.

SELLING

Can you sell my Mary Cassatt 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 Mary Cassatt?

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 Mary Cassatt?

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 Mary Cassatt?

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 Mary Cassatt 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 a Mary Cassatt?

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 Mary Cassatt?

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

Can you review a Mary Cassatt 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 Mary Cassatt?

Three fundamental questions should always be answered: Is it authentic? What is its condition? Is the price reasonable? For Cassatt prints, the technique, state, impression, paper, and edition information should also be examined carefully because her printmaking involved multiple techniques, proofs, and states.

How can I avoid buying a fake Mary Cassatt?

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 MARY CASSATT 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 Mary Cassatt, 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.