COULD YOUR PAINTING BE BY ROBERT FEKE?

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

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

From a single photograph of ordinary quality, we can often determine whether a painting appears consistent with Robert Feke’s work or whether it clearly does not. Feke worked primarily as a portrait painter, and attribution depends heavily on portrait type, handling, costume, composition, materials, and comparison with securely documented works.

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 Feke today?

Yes. Only around sixty paintings are generally attributed to Feke, and significant gaps remain in the documentation of his life and career. A previously unrecognized colonial portrait with credible provenance and convincing stylistic characteristics can therefore merit investigation.

Do I need to get my Robert Feke authenticated?

Yes. Authentication is essential if you wish to sell your painting 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 Feke authenticated?

Not for you. Simply send us photographs of the front and reverse, close-up photographs of the sitter, costume, hands, paint surface, labels and inscriptions, together with 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 Robert Feke?

It depends on how much is already known about the painting 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 Feke?

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 Feke painting is authentic?

No. Only a limited number of surviving works are signed and dated, so a signature must be considered together with the painting’s style, materials, composition, provenance, and documentary history. A signature alone cannot establish authenticity.

Can an unsigned Robert Feke painting still be authentic?

Yes. Most paintings attributed to Feke are not signed and dated, so the absence of a signature does not by itself exclude authenticity. Attribution depends on the complete stylistic, technical, physical, and documentary evidence.

What documents help authenticate a Robert Feke painting?

Any document that mentions, describes, illustrates, or refers to the painting may assist the authentication. Family inventories, wills, correspondence, photographs, invoices, exhibition records, conservation reports, insurance documents, auction records, labels, and genealogical records can all contribute valuable evidence.

Can a Robert Feke painting be authenticated from photographs?

Yes. High-quality photography is an extremely useful authentication tool and allows us to study composition, paint handling, costume, surface, condition, inscriptions, 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 Feke?

No. Many paintings can be evaluated through research, provenance investigation, comparative analysis, and technical examination. Scientific testing is generally reserved for more difficult cases when questions remain concerning pigments, grounds, canvas, wood, or other materials.

What if my Robert Feke has no provenance?

Incomplete provenance is common in colonial paintings. When provenance is incomplete, authentication relies more heavily on genealogical and archival research, technical examination, photography, comparison with documented portraits, and, where appropriate, scientific testing.

Do you issue Certificates of Authenticity for Robert Feke 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 Feke painting worth?

We will appraise your painting and determine its value. Attribution, sitter identity, date, dimensions, condition, provenance, historical importance, rarity, and current market demand are among the principal valuation factors.

SELLING

Can you sell my Robert Feke 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 Feke?

Yes. Your painting 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 Feke?

Yes. Without authentication, your painting may sell for only a fraction of its potential market value.

Can you help me maximize the selling price of my Robert Feke?

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 Feke before selling it?

Usually not. Buyers often have their own preferences regarding conservation and restoration, and original paint surfaces can be particularly important in colonial portraiture. We generally recommend selling the painting in its present condition unless there is a compelling conservation reason to intervene.

How long does it take to sell a Robert Feke?

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 Feke?

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

Can you review a Robert Feke 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 Feke?

Three fundamental questions should always be answered: Is it authentic? What is its condition? Is the price reasonable? For Feke, sitter identification, provenance, date, costume, composition, and comparison with securely attributed portraits are especially important.

How can I avoid buying a fake Robert Feke?

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 ROBERT FEKE 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 Feke, 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.