COULD YOUR PAINTING BE BY LUDOLF DE JONGH?

Previously unknown works by important artists continue to emerge from private collections, estates, inheritances, and long-held family possessions. While authentic works by Ludolf de Jongh 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 may be by Ludolf de Jongh, obtaining an independent professional opinion is the appropriate first step.

We have specialized in the authentication of works attributed to Ludolf de Jongh 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 Ludolf de Jongh?

From a single photograph of ordinary quality, we can often determine whether a painting appears consistent with Ludolf de Jongh’s work or whether it clearly does not. His production includes portraits, genre interiors, hunting and guardroom scenes, landscapes, city views, and drawings, and his stylistic range has historically complicated attribution.

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 Ludolf de Jongh today?

Yes. De Jongh worked across a notably broad range of styles and subjects, and paintings by him have sometimes been attributed to other seventeenth-century Dutch artists. Previously unrecognized works can therefore still emerge from private collections and estates.

Do I need to get my Ludolf de Jongh 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 Ludolf de Jongh authenticated?

Not for you. Simply send us photographs of the front and reverse, close-ups of the signature, inscriptions, labels, paint surface, support, and frame, the dimensions, and anything you know about the painting’s history. The investigation itself is our responsibility.

How long does it take to authenticate a Ludolf de Jongh?

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 Ludolf de Jongh?

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 Ludolf de Jongh painting is authentic?

No. De Jongh used variations of his signature, and signatures on paintings associated with him have even been altered historically to suggest attribution to another artist. A signature must therefore be assessed together with technique, materials, age, provenance, and the painting as a whole.

Can an unsigned Ludolf de Jongh painting still be authentic?

Yes. Many attribution questions surrounding De Jongh involve unsigned paintings, and the absence of a signature does not by itself establish inauthenticity. Technique, materials, composition, provenance, and comparison with securely attributed works are critical.

What documents help authenticate a Ludolf de Jongh painting?

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, collection inventories, and family papers can all contribute valuable evidence.

Can a Ludolf de Jongh painting be authenticated from photographs?

Yes. High-quality photography is an extremely useful authentication tool and allows us to examine composition, paint handling, support, surface, signature, inscriptions, labels, 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 Ludolf de Jongh?

No. Many paintings can be authenticated through provenance research, comparative analysis, examination of materials and technique, and technical photography. Scientific testing is generally reserved for difficult cases when questions remain concerning the age or composition of pigments, binders, grounds, panels, canvas, or other materials.

What if my Ludolf de Jongh has no provenance?

Incomplete provenance is common with seventeenth-century paintings. Because De Jongh’s works have historically been confused with those of other Dutch painters, an undocumented painting should be evaluated carefully through technical examination, comparative research, and, where appropriate, scientific testing.

Do you issue Certificates of Authenticity for Ludolf de Jongh 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 Ludolf de Jongh painting worth?

We will appraise your work and determine its value. Subject, period, dimensions, quality, condition, provenance, rarity, and strength of attribution are important factors, with portraits, genre interiors, hunting scenes, and other subjects requiring appropriate market comparisons.

SELLING

Can you sell my Ludolf de Jongh 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 Ludolf de Jongh?

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 Ludolf de Jongh?

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 Ludolf de Jongh?

Yes. Authentication, provenance, valuation, timing, condition, 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 Ludolf de Jongh before selling it?

Usually not. Buyers often have their own preferences regarding conservation and restoration, particularly with Old Master paintings. We generally recommend selling the work in its present condition unless there is a compelling conservation reason to intervene.

How long does it take to sell a Ludolf de Jongh?

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 Ludolf de Jongh?

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

Can you review a Ludolf de Jongh 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 Ludolf de Jongh?

Three fundamental questions should always be answered: Is it authentic? What is its condition? Is the price reasonable? For De Jongh, attribution history and the integrity of the signature deserve particular attention because his paintings have historically been confused with or reattributed from other Dutch masters.

How can I avoid buying a fake Ludolf de Jongh?

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 LUDOLF DE JONGH 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 Ludolf de Jongh, 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.