COULD YOUR PAINTING BE BY FRANCIS BACON?

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

We have specialized in the authentication of works attributed to Francis Bacon 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 Francis Bacon?

From a single photograph of ordinary quality, we can often determine whether a painting appears consistent with Bacon’s work or whether it clearly does not. His technique, materials, treatment of the figure, surface, composition, and changes across different periods of his career all require careful consideration before reaching a definitive 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 Francis Bacon today?

Yes. Paintings can remain in private collections, estates, studios, and family ownership without complete documentation, and previously unrecorded or incorrectly attributed works can still emerge.

Do I need to get my Francis Bacon 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 Francis Bacon authenticated?

Not for you. Simply send us photographs of the front and reverse, close-up photographs of the surface, signature or inscriptions, labels, stretcher or support, 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 Francis Bacon?

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 Francis Bacon?

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 Francis Bacon painting is authentic?

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

Can an unsigned Francis Bacon painting still be authentic?

Yes. The absence of a signature does not by itself rule out an attribution to Bacon. An unsigned painting must be evaluated through its technique, materials, subject, period, provenance, and relationship to documented works.

What documents help authenticate a Francis Bacon painting?

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

Can a Francis Bacon painting be authenticated from photographs?

Yes. High-quality photography is an extremely useful authentication tool and allows us to study the composition, paint application, surface, support, reverse, inscriptions, 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 Francis Bacon?

No. Many paintings 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, binding media, support, alterations, or the age and composition of materials.

What if my Francis Bacon has no provenance?

Incomplete provenance is common. When provenance is incomplete, authentication relies more heavily on documentary research, comparative analysis, technical examination, photography, and, where appropriate, scientific testing.

Do you issue Certificates of Authenticity for Francis Bacon 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 Francis Bacon painting worth?

We will appraise your painting and determine its value. Important factors include subject, date, dimensions, quality, condition, provenance, rarity, period, and current market demand. Major figure paintings, portraits, triptychs, and works associated with particularly important periods of Bacon’s career can differ substantially in value.

SELLING

Can you sell my Francis Bacon 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 Francis Bacon?

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 Francis Bacon?

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 Francis Bacon?

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 Francis Bacon before selling it?

Usually not. Bacon’s surfaces and materials can be particularly sensitive to intervention, and buyers often have their own preferences regarding conservation. 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 Francis Bacon?

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 Francis Bacon?

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

Can you review a Francis Bacon 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 Francis Bacon?

Three fundamental questions should always be answered: Is it authentic? What is its condition? Is the price reasonable? Date, subject, provenance, support, conservation history, quality, and the painting’s relationship to Bacon’s documented production should also be carefully considered.

How can I avoid buying a fake Francis Bacon?

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 FRANCIS BACON 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 Francis Bacon, 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.