COULD YOUR PAINTING BE BY JEAN-SIMÉON CHARDIN?

Previously unknown works by important artists continue to emerge from private collections, estates, inheritances, and long-held family possessions. While authentic works by Jean-Siméon Chardin may be rare, every painting deserves to be evaluated on its own merits rather than dismissed simply because it is unfamiliar or undocumented.

If you believe your painting or pastel may be by Jean-Siméon Chardin, obtaining an independent professional opinion is the appropriate first step. Chardin is particularly associated with still lifes and domestic genre paintings, and he also produced pastel portraits later in his career.

We have specialized in the authentication of works attributed to Jean-Siméon Chardin 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 Jean-Siméon Chardin?

From a single photograph of ordinary quality, we can often determine whether a painting appears consistent with Chardin’s work or clearly does not. Attribution can require particular care because Chardin sometimes painted more than one autograph version of the same composition, while copies and imitations of his works also exist.

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-Siméon Chardin today?

Yes. Chardin’s known production was relatively limited, but he sometimes repeated compositions or created variations, making careful examination of an undocumented painting worthwhile rather than dismissing it solely because it is unfamiliar.

Do I need to get my Jean-Siméon Chardin 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-Siméon Chardin authenticated?

Not for you. Simply send us photographs of the front and reverse, close-ups of the surface and any signature or inscriptions, 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-Siméon Chardin?

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-Siméon Chardin?

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-Siméon Chardin painting is authentic?

No. Signed Chardin paintings are documented, but a signature must be evaluated together with the paint handling, materials, support, composition, provenance, and date. The existence of multiple autograph versions and later copies makes examination of the complete object especially important.

Can an unsigned Jean-Siméon Chardin painting still be authentic?

Yes. The absence of a signature does not by itself make a painting inauthentic. Attribution should depend on the totality of the visual, documentary, historical, and technical evidence.

What documents help authenticate a Jean-Siméon Chardin painting?

Any document that mentions, describes, illustrates, or refers to the painting 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 Jean-Siméon Chardin painting be authenticated from photographs?

Yes. High-quality photography is an extremely useful authentication tool and allows us to examine composition, paint application, support, surface, condition, signatures, and inscriptions 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-Siméon Chardin?

No. Many paintings can be authenticated through research, provenance investigation, comparative analysis, and technical examination. Scientific testing may be useful when questions remain concerning pigments, grounds, canvas, paper, binders, later restoration, or the age and composition of materials.

What if my Jean-Siméon Chardin has no provenance?

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

Do you issue Certificates of Authenticity for Jean-Siméon Chardin 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-Siméon Chardin painting worth?

We will appraise your painting and determine its value. Important factors include subject, date, medium, dimensions, quality, condition, provenance, rarity, and market demand; Chardin’s market encompasses both his celebrated still lifes and his genre compositions.

SELLING

Can you sell my Jean-Siméon Chardin 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-Siméon Chardin?

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-Siméon Chardin?

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-Siméon Chardin?

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-Siméon Chardin 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 reason to do otherwise.

How long does it take to sell a Jean-Siméon Chardin?

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-Siméon Chardin?

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

Can you review a Jean-Siméon Chardin 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-Siméon Chardin?

Three fundamental questions should always be answered: Is it authentic? What is its condition? Is the price reasonable? Because Chardin sometimes produced several versions of a composition and later copies are known, the precise attribution, provenance, materials, and relationship to documented versions deserve particular attention.

How can I avoid buying a fake Jean-Siméon Chardin?

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, copied, 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-SIMÉON CHARDIN 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-Siméon Chardin, 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.