COULD YOUR PAINTING BE BY LAVINIA FONTANA?

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

We have specialized in the authentication of works attributed to Lavinia Fontana 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 Lavinia Fontana painting?

From good photographs, we can often determine whether a painting appears consistent with Lavinia Fontana’s work or clearly does not. Her oeuvre ranges from highly detailed portraits to religious and mythological compositions, so subject, technique, support, and period must all be considered before reaching a conclusion.

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 Lavinia Fontana today?

Yes. Paintings from the late sixteenth and early seventeenth centuries can remain in private collections for generations, sometimes under older or incorrect attributions. A previously undocumented painting should therefore be investigated on its own evidence rather than rejected simply because it is unfamiliar.

Do I need to get my Lavinia Fontana 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 Lavinia Fontana authenticated?

Not for you. Simply send us photographs of the front and reverse, close-ups of the paint surface, signature or inscriptions, support, labels, frame, and other relevant details, 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 Lavinia Fontana?

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 Lavinia Fontana?

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 Lavinia Fontana painting is authentic?

No. Fontana used signatures and inscriptions in different forms, and securely documented works include abbreviated inscriptions such as “LAVIN.A FON.A F.” A signature must therefore be evaluated together with technique, materials, support, provenance, date, and the rest of the physical evidence.

Can an unsigned Lavinia Fontana painting still be authentic?

Yes. The absence of a visible signature does not by itself make a painting inauthentic. Attribution should be based on the painting’s technique, materials, composition, provenance, physical history, and relationship to securely attributed works.

What documents help authenticate a Lavinia Fontana 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 Lavinia Fontana painting be authenticated from photographs?

Yes. High-quality photography is an extremely useful authentication tool and allows us to study composition, paint handling, support, condition, signatures, inscriptions, and other 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 Lavinia Fontana?

No. Many paintings can be authenticated through research, provenance investigation, comparative analysis, and technical examination. Scientific testing may be recommended when questions remain concerning the age or composition of pigments, ground layers, canvas, wood, copper, or other materials.

What if my Lavinia Fontana has no provenance?

Incomplete provenance is common with Old Master paintings. When provenance is limited, authentication relies more heavily on technical examination, comparative research, photography, physical evidence, and, where appropriate, scientific testing.

Do you issue Certificates of Authenticity for Lavinia Fontana 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 Lavinia Fontana painting worth?

We will appraise your painting and determine its value. Important factors include authenticity, subject, dimensions, date, support, condition, provenance, quality, rarity, and market demand; portraiture represents a particularly important part of Fontana’s documented production.

SELLING

Can you sell my Lavinia Fontana 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 Lavinia Fontana?

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 Lavinia Fontana?

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 Lavinia Fontana?

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 Lavinia Fontana 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 Lavinia Fontana?

Higher-value paintings 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 Lavinia Fontana?

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

Can you review a Lavinia Fontana 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 Lavinia Fontana?

Three fundamental questions should always be answered: Is it authentic? What is its condition? Is the price reasonable? The support, date, provenance, signature or inscription, restoration history, and consistency with Fontana’s documented painting technique should also be examined.

How can I avoid buying a fake Lavinia Fontana?

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 LAVINIA FONTANA 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 Lavinia Fontana, 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.