COULD YOUR ARTWORK BE BY RICHARD DIEBENKORN?

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

We have specialized in the authentication of works attributed to Richard Diebenkorn 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 Richard Diebenkorn?

From a single photograph of ordinary quality, we can often determine whether a work appears consistent with Richard Diebenkorn’s work or whether it clearly does not. His career encompassed both abstraction and figuration, including the Berkeley and Ocean Park periods, and he worked extensively in painting, drawing, and printmaking, so medium, technique, date, and stylistic period must be considered together.

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 Richard Diebenkorn today?

Yes. Paintings and works on paper can remain in private collections for generations with incomplete documentation, uncertain attribution, or little previous scholarly attention.

Do I need to get my Richard Diebenkorn 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 Richard Diebenkorn authenticated?

Not for you. Simply send us photographs of the front and reverse, close-up photographs of important details, the dimensions, and any signatures, inscriptions, labels, stamps, or other markings. The investigation itself is our responsibility.

How long does it take to authenticate a Richard Diebenkorn?

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 Richard Diebenkorn?

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 Richard Diebenkorn is authentic?

No. A signature must be evaluated together with the work’s technique, materials, support, provenance, date, and other physical and documentary evidence.

Can an unsigned Richard Diebenkorn still be authentic?

Yes. The absence of a signature does not by itself make a work inauthentic. Authentication depends on the combined stylistic, technical, material, and documentary evidence.

What documents help authenticate a Richard Diebenkorn?

Any document that mentions, describes, illustrates, or refers to the work may assist the authentication. Photographs, invoices, correspondence, gallery records, exhibition records, restoration or conservation reports, insurance documents, auction records, and family papers can all contribute valuable evidence.

Can a Richard Diebenkorn be authenticated from photographs?

Yes. High-quality photography is an extremely useful authentication tool and allows us to study composition, paint handling, surface characteristics, signatures, inscriptions, labels, and other details 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 Richard Diebenkorn?

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

What if my Richard Diebenkorn has no provenance?

Incomplete provenance is not necessarily fatal to an attribution. When provenance is incomplete, authentication relies more heavily on documentary research, technical examination, comparative analysis, photography, and, where appropriate, scientific testing.

Do you issue Certificates of Authenticity for Richard Diebenkorn 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 Richard Diebenkorn worth?

We will appraise your work and determine its value. Medium, date, period, subject, dimensions, condition, provenance, exhibition history, rarity, and current market demand are among the principal valuation factors.

SELLING

Can you sell my Richard Diebenkorn 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 Richard Diebenkorn?

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 Richard Diebenkorn?

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 Richard Diebenkorn?

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 Richard Diebenkorn 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 Richard Diebenkorn?

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 Richard Diebenkorn?

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

Can you review a Richard Diebenkorn 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 Richard Diebenkorn?

Three fundamental questions should always be answered: Is it authentic? What is its condition? Is the price reasonable? Date, medium, stylistic period, provenance, exhibition history, and physical characteristics should also be carefully evaluated.

How can I avoid buying a fake Richard Diebenkorn?

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 RICHARD DIEBENKORN 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 Richard Diebenkorn, 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.