COULD YOUR PAINTING BE BY FRA ANGELICO?

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

We have specialized in the authentication of works attributed to Fra Angelico 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 Fra Angelico?

From a single photograph of ordinary quality, we can often determine whether a painting appears consistent with Fra Angelico’s work or whether it clearly does not. His surviving production includes tempera panel paintings as well as frescoes, and questions of workshop participation, collaboration, date, materials, and original function can be important when evaluating an attribution.

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 Fra Angelico today?

Yes. Fifteenth-century paintings can pass through churches, religious institutions, historic collections, estates, and private ownership with incomplete documentation, and works may also have been separated from larger altarpieces or ensembles. Previously unrecorded or incorrectly attributed works can therefore still emerge.

Do I need to get my Fra Angelico 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 Fra Angelico authenticated?

Not for you. Simply send us photographs of the front and reverse, close-up photographs of the paint surface, edges, support, inscriptions, labels, and important details, 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 Fra Angelico?

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 Fra Angelico?

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 Fra Angelico painting is authentic?

No. Attribution of a fifteenth-century painting cannot be established from a signature or inscription alone. Technique, materials, support, construction, provenance, condition, date, and the relationship of the painting to documented works must all be considered.

Can an unsigned Fra Angelico painting still be authentic?

Yes. The absence of a signature does not by itself rule out an attribution to Fra Angelico. Unsigned paintings associated with him are known, so attribution must depend on the totality of stylistic, technical, physical, and documentary evidence.

What documents help authenticate a Fra Angelico painting?

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

Can a Fra Angelico painting be authenticated from photographs?

Yes. High-quality photography is an extremely useful authentication tool and allows us to study the composition, paint surface, support, construction, inscriptions, reverse, labels, 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 Fra Angelico?

No. Many paintings can be evaluated through documentary research, provenance investigation, comparative analysis, and technical examination. For a fifteenth-century painting, however, examination of the support, ground, pigments, underdrawing, alterations, and other material evidence can become particularly important when questions remain concerning attribution or date.

What if my Fra Angelico has no provenance?

Incomplete provenance is common, particularly with works of this age. When provenance is incomplete, authentication relies more heavily on documentary research, comparative study, technical examination, photography, and, where appropriate, scientific testing.

Do you issue Certificates of Authenticity for Fra Angelico 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 Fra Angelico painting worth?

We will appraise your painting and determine its value. Important factors include attribution, subject, date, dimensions, quality, condition, provenance, rarity, original function, and current market demand.

SELLING

Can you sell my Fra Angelico 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 Fra Angelico?

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 Fra Angelico?

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 Fra Angelico?

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 Fra Angelico before selling it?

Usually not. Conservation of a fifteenth-century painting should be approached cautiously, and buyers may have their own preferences regarding treatment. We generally recommend selling the painting in its present condition unless there is a compelling conservation reason to do otherwise.

How long does it take to sell a Fra Angelico?

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 Fra Angelico?

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

Can you review a Fra Angelico 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 Fra Angelico?

Three fundamental questions should always be answered: Is it authentic? What is its condition? Is the price reasonable? For a fifteenth-century painting attributed to Fra Angelico, provenance, date, support, conservation history, workshop involvement, and whether the work originally formed part of a larger ensemble can also be important.

How can I avoid buying a fake Fra Angelico?

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 FRA ANGELICO 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 Fra Angelico, 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.