COULD YOUR ARTWORK BE BY WILLEM DE KOONING?

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

We have specialized in the authentication of works attributed to Willem de Kooning 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 Willem de Kooning?

From a single photograph of ordinary quality, we can often determine whether a work appears consistent with de Kooning’s work or whether it clearly does not. His technique and handling changed considerably over his long career, so a first visual impression may not be definitive.

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 Willem de Kooning today?

Yes. De Kooning worked extensively over many decades in paintings, drawings, prints, and sculpture, and previously undocumented works can still emerge from private collections, estates, and family holdings.

Do I need to get my Willem de Kooning 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 Willem de Kooning authenticated?

Not for you. For paintings and works on paper, simply send us photographs of the front and reverse, close-ups of important details, the dimensions, and anything you know about the work’s history. For sculpture, photographs from several angles and close-ups of inscriptions, marks, edition information, and the base are useful. The investigation itself is our responsibility.

How long does it take to authenticate a Willem de Kooning?

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 Willem de Kooning?

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 Willem de Kooning painting is authentic?

No. A signature must be considered together with the painting’s technique, materials, construction, provenance, and other physical and documentary evidence. A convincing signature cannot establish authenticity by itself.

Can an unsigned Willem de Kooning painting still be authentic?

Yes. The absence of a signature does not by itself make a painting inauthentic. An unsigned work must be evaluated through its technique, materials, provenance, physical characteristics, and relationship to de Kooning’s documented work.

What documents help authenticate a Willem de Kooning 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 Willem de Kooning painting be authenticated from photographs?

Yes. High-quality photography is an extremely useful authentication tool and allows us to study paint handling, surface, composition, signatures, inscriptions, supports, and other important 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 Willem de Kooning?

No. Many works can be authenticated through research, provenance investigation, analysis, and technical examination. Scientific testing of pigments, binders, supports, or other materials is generally reserved for more difficult cases when questions remain concerning their age or composition.

What if my Willem de Kooning 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 Willem de Kooning 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 Willem de Kooning work worth?

We will appraise your work and determine its value. Period, medium, dimensions, subject, condition, provenance, rarity, and market demand are among the principal factors affecting the value of de Kooning’s work; edition information is also important for prints and sculpture.

SELLING

Can you sell my Willem de Kooning 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 Willem de Kooning?

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 Willem de Kooning?

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 Willem de Kooning?

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 Willem de Kooning 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 Willem de Kooning?

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 Willem de Kooning?

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

Can you review a Willem de Kooning 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 Willem de Kooning?

Three fundamental questions should always be answered: Is it authentic? What is its condition? Is the price reasonable? The work’s provenance, medium, date, and, where applicable, edition information should also be reviewed.

How can I avoid buying a fake Willem de Kooning?

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 WILLEM DE KOONING 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 Willem de Kooning, 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.