COULD YOUR ARTWORK BE BY LEONARDO DA VINCI?

Previously unknown works by important artists continue to emerge from private collections, estates, inheritances, and long-held family possessions. While authentic works by Leonardo da Vinci are exceptionally 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 drawing may be by Leonardo da Vinci, obtaining an independent professional opinion is the appropriate first step. Leonardo’s surviving paintings are very few, while a much larger body of drawings and studies documents his artistic and intellectual activity.

We have specialized in the authentication of works attributed to Leonardo da Vinci 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 Leonardo da Vinci?

From a single photograph of ordinary quality, we can often determine whether a work appears consistent with Leonardo’s work or whether it clearly does not. A first impression may not be definitive because Leonardo worked through drawings, studies, unfinished compositions, collaborative workshop practices, and highly refined paintings that require careful differentiation from works by pupils and followers.

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 Leonardo da Vinci today?

Yes. Paintings or drawings can remain unidentified, incorrectly attributed, or preserved in private collections for generations. Because Leonardo’s accepted painted oeuvre is extremely small, any plausible attribution requires particularly careful investigation.

Do I need to get my Leonardo da Vinci 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 Leonardo da Vinci authenticated?

Not for you. Simply send us photographs of the front and reverse, close-up photographs of important details, inscriptions, labels, seals, and other markings, 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 Leonardo da Vinci?

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 Leonardo da Vinci?

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 Leonardo da Vinci painting is authentic?

No. A signature or inscription cannot establish authorship by itself. A Leonardo attribution must be assessed through technique, materials, support, provenance, condition, underdrawing, and the total body of available evidence.

Can an unsigned Leonardo da Vinci painting still be authentic?

Yes. The absence of a signature does not by itself make a painting inauthentic. Attribution depends on the work’s technique, materials, construction, provenance, and relationship to Leonardo’s established practice.

What documents help authenticate a Leonardo da Vinci painting or drawing?

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

Can a Leonardo da Vinci painting or drawing be authenticated from photographs?

Yes. High-quality photography is an extremely useful authentication tool and allows us to study composition, surface, technique, support, paper, inscriptions, condition, 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 Leonardo da Vinci?

No. Research, provenance investigation, comparative analysis, and technical examination may resolve many questions. Scientific testing and imaging can become important when questions remain concerning pigments, grounds, binders, wood, paper, underdrawing, or later intervention.

What if my Leonardo da Vinci has no provenance?

Incomplete provenance is common in works with histories extending over several centuries. When provenance is incomplete, authentication relies more heavily on research, technical examination, imaging, photography, and, where appropriate, scientific testing.

Do you issue Certificates of Authenticity for Leonardo da Vinci 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 Leonardo da Vinci worth?

We will appraise your work and determine its value. Attribution, medium, subject, date, dimensions, condition, provenance, rarity, and market demand are among the principal valuation factors.

SELLING

Can you sell my Leonardo da Vinci 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 Leonardo da Vinci?

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 Leonardo da Vinci?

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 Leonardo da Vinci?

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 Leonardo da Vinci before selling it?

Usually not. Buyers often have their own preferences regarding conservation and restoration, and intervention can be especially consequential for a Renaissance painting or drawing. 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 Leonardo da Vinci?

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 Leonardo da Vinci?

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

Can you review a Leonardo da Vinci 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 Leonardo da Vinci?

Three fundamental questions should always be answered: Is it authentic? What is its condition? Is the price reasonable? Attribution, provenance, materials, restoration history, and the distinction between Leonardo, his workshop, pupils, followers, and later copies are especially important.

How can I avoid buying a fake Leonardo da Vinci?

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, later, 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 LEONARDO DA VINCI 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 Leonardo da Vinci, 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.