COULD YOUR PAINTING BE BY ROBERT DELAUNAY?

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

We have specialized in the authentication of works attributed to Robert Delaunay 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 Robert Delaunay?

From a single photograph of ordinary quality, we can often determine whether a work appears consistent with Delaunay’s work or whether it clearly does not. Because his work evolved from figurative and Cubist-influenced compositions toward increasingly abstract investigations of color, light, and rhythm, the characteristics expected depend significantly on the work’s apparent date and type.

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 Robert Delaunay today?

Yes. Paintings and works on paper can remain in private collections for generations with incomplete documentation, uncertain attribution, or little public exposure. An unfamiliar work attributed to Delaunay should therefore be evaluated on its individual evidence.

Do I need to get my Robert Delaunay 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 Robert Delaunay authenticated?

Not for you. Simply send us photographs of the front and reverse, close-up photographs of the surface, signature, inscriptions or labels, 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 Robert Delaunay?

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 Robert Delaunay?

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 Robert Delaunay painting is authentic?

No. A signature, date, or inscription must be evaluated together with the painting’s technique, materials, provenance, and other characteristics. Delaunay works may also carry dates that require careful interpretation; for example, MoMA records his 1913 painting Simultaneous Contrasts: Sun and Moon as dated 1912 on the painting.

Can an unsigned Robert Delaunay painting still be authentic?

Yes. The absence of a signature does not by itself establish that a painting is inauthentic. Attribution should be based on the work as a whole, including its materials, technique, date, provenance, and documentary evidence.

What documents help authenticate a Robert Delaunay 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 Robert Delaunay painting be authenticated from photographs?

Yes. High-quality photography is an extremely useful authentication tool and allows us to study composition, color relationships, paint application, surface, inscriptions, condition, 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 Robert Delaunay?

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

What if my Robert Delaunay 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 Robert Delaunay 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 Robert Delaunay painting worth?

We will appraise your painting and determine its value. Important factors include period, medium, subject, dimensions, condition, provenance, rarity, and market demand; works associated with significant series or phases of Delaunay’s career may require particularly careful comparison with relevant market evidence.

SELLING

Can you sell my Robert Delaunay 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 Robert Delaunay?

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 Robert Delaunay?

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 Robert Delaunay?

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 Robert Delaunay 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 Robert Delaunay?

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 Robert Delaunay?

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

Can you review a Robert Delaunay 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 Robert Delaunay?

Three fundamental questions should always be answered: Is it authentic? What is its condition? Is the price reasonable? The work’s medium, date, provenance, and relationship to Delaunay’s documented periods and series should also be considered.

How can I avoid buying a fake Robert Delaunay?

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 ROBERT DELAUNAY 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 Robert Delaunay, 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.