COULD YOUR ARTWORK BE BY RAOUL DUFY?

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

We have specialized in the authentication of works attributed to Raoul Dufy 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 Raoul Dufy?

From a single photograph of ordinary quality, we can often determine whether a work appears consistent with Raoul Dufy’s work or whether it clearly does not. Dufy worked extensively in oils, watercolor, drawing and printmaking and also produced important decorative designs, so the medium and period must be considered carefully.

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 Raoul Dufy today?

Yes. Dufy had a long and prolific career encompassing paintings, works on paper, prints and decorative projects. Works can remain unidentified, undocumented, or incorrectly attributed in private collections and therefore merit investigation.

Do I need to get my Raoul Dufy 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 Raoul Dufy authenticated?

Not for you. For paintings, send us photographs of the front and reverse and close-ups of important details; for works on paper or prints, include the entire sheet, margins, signatures, inscriptions, numbering and relevant marks. Include 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 Raoul Dufy?

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 Raoul Dufy?

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 Raoul Dufy painting is authentic?

No. A signature must be evaluated together with the painting’s technique, materials, date, provenance and other physical and documentary evidence. A signature alone cannot establish authenticity.

Can an unsigned Raoul Dufy painting still be authentic?

Yes. The absence of a signature does not by itself make a painting inauthentic. Attribution depends on the complete stylistic, technical, physical and documentary evidence.

What documents help authenticate a Raoul Dufy 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, gallery labels and family papers can all contribute valuable evidence.

Can a Raoul Dufy painting be authenticated from photographs?

Yes. High-quality photography is an extremely useful authentication tool and allows us to study composition, paint application, brushwork, surface, condition, signatures 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 Raoul Dufy?

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 the age or composition of pigments, grounds, supports, paper, inks or other materials.

What if my Raoul Dufy 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 Raoul Dufy 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 Raoul Dufy work worth?

We will appraise your work and determine its value. Period, medium, subject, dimensions, condition, provenance, quality, rarity and current market demand are among the principal valuation factors.

SELLING

Can you sell my Raoul Dufy 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 Raoul Dufy?

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 Raoul Dufy?

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 Raoul Dufy?

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 Raoul Dufy 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 Raoul Dufy?

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 Raoul Dufy?

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

Can you review a Raoul Dufy 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 Raoul Dufy?

Three fundamental questions should always be answered: Is it authentic? What is its condition? Is the price reasonable? For prints, the technique, paper, impression, edition, signature and numbering should also be examined carefully; Dufy produced lithographs and other graphic work.

How can I avoid buying a fake Raoul Dufy?

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 RAOUL DUFY 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 Raoul Dufy, 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.