COULD YOUR PAINTING BE BY PIERO DELLA FRANCESCA?

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

We have specialized in the authentication of works attributed to Piero della Francesca 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 Piero della Francesca?

From a single photograph of ordinary quality, we can often determine whether a painting appears consistent with Piero della Francesca’s work or whether it clearly does not. His surviving paintings include works in tempera as well as oil on wooden panels, and their geometry, perspective, modeling, materials, and construction all require careful evaluation.

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 Piero della Francesca today?

Yes. Piero’s surviving body of work is limited, and parts of documented altarpieces were separated over time; individual panels from such ensembles can consequently have complex histories. A previously unidentified painting should be evaluated on its evidence rather than dismissed simply because it is unfamiliar.

Do I need to get my Piero della Francesca 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 Piero della Francesca authenticated?

Not for you. Simply send us photographs of the front and reverse, close-up photographs of the painted surface, wooden support, edges, inscriptions or markings, 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 Piero della Francesca?

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 Piero della Francesca?

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 Piero della Francesca painting is authentic?

No. A signature or inscription alone cannot establish authorship and must be evaluated with the painting’s technique, materials, support, provenance, and other evidence. Misleading later signatures are also possible: Piero’s Saint Michael in the National Gallery was once recorded with a false Mantegna signature.

Can an unsigned Piero della Francesca painting still be authentic?

Yes. Individual panels could originally form part of larger altarpieces, and the absence of a signature does not by itself make a painting inauthentic. Attribution must be based on the physical, technical, stylistic, and documentary evidence as a whole.

What documents help authenticate a Piero della Francesca 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 Piero della Francesca painting be authenticated from photographs?

Yes. High-quality photography is an extremely useful authentication tool and allows us to study composition, perspective, modeling, paint surface, support, 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 Piero della Francesca?

No. Many paintings can be evaluated through research, provenance investigation, analysis, and technical examination. When necessary, examination of pigments, binders, ground layers, paint structure, and wooden supports can help determine whether the materials and construction are compatible with a fifteenth-century painting.

What if my Piero della Francesca has no provenance?

Incomplete provenance is common, particularly with paintings that have passed through collections for centuries. 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 Piero della Francesca 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 Piero della Francesca painting worth?

We will appraise your painting and determine its value. Important factors include subject, date, dimensions, condition, provenance, rarity, quality, and whether the panel can be associated with a documented commission or larger altarpiece.

SELLING

Can you sell my Piero della Francesca 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 Piero della Francesca?

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 Piero della Francesca?

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 Piero della Francesca?

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 Piero della Francesca 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 Piero della Francesca?

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 Piero della Francesca?

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

Can you review a Piero della Francesca 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 Piero della Francesca?

Three fundamental questions should always be answered: Is it authentic? What is its condition? Is the price reasonable? For a fifteenth-century panel painting, the support, paint layers, provenance, previous restoration, and possible relationship to a documented altarpiece or commission can also be particularly important.

How can I avoid buying a fake Piero della Francesca?

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 painting.

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 PIERO DELLA FRANCESCA 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 Piero della Francesca, 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.