COULD YOUR ARTWORK BE BY LUCIAN FREUD?

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

We have specialized in the authentication of works attributed to Lucian Freud 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 Lucian Freud?

From a single photograph of ordinary quality, we can often determine whether a work appears consistent with Lucian Freud’s work or whether it clearly does not. A first impression may not be definitive because his paintings, drawings, and etchings depend heavily on close observation of the sitter, surface, handling, and subtle physical distortions.

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 Lucian Freud today?

Yes. Freud worked over a career spanning many decades in painting, drawing, and etching, and previously undocumented works can remain in private collections, estates, and family holdings. His printmaking alone extended from early experiments in the 1940s through a major return to etching beginning in the 1980s.

Do I need to get my Lucian Freud 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 Lucian Freud authenticated?

Not for you. Simply send us photographs of the front and reverse, close-up photographs of the painted or drawn surface, signatures, inscriptions, labels, dimensions, and anything you know about the work’s history. For etchings, include photographs of the full sheet, margins, signature, numbering, and any printer or publisher information. The investigation itself is our responsibility.

How long does it take to authenticate a Lucian Freud?

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 Lucian Freud?

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 Lucian Freud painting is authentic?

No. A signature must be evaluated together with the painting’s technique, materials, support, provenance, and physical characteristics. A signature alone cannot establish authorship.

Can an unsigned Lucian Freud painting still be authentic?

Yes. The absence of a signature does not by itself exclude an attribution to Freud. Paint handling, support, materials, composition, provenance, date, and comparison with securely documented works must be considered together.

What documents help authenticate a Lucian Freud painting?

Any document that mentions, describes, illustrates, or refers to the work 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 Lucian Freud painting be authenticated from photographs?

Yes. High-quality photography is an extremely useful authentication tool and allows us to study paint application, surface, support, composition, signatures, inscriptions, labels, condition, and important details 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 Lucian Freud?

No. Many paintings and works on paper 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, binders, supports, or other materials.

What if my Lucian Freud 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 Lucian Freud 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 Lucian Freud artwork worth?

We will appraise your work and determine its value. Date, medium, subject, sitter, dimensions, condition, provenance, rarity, and market demand are among the principal factors affecting the value of a Lucian Freud work.

SELLING

Can you sell my Lucian Freud 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 Lucian Freud?

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 Lucian Freud?

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 Lucian Freud?

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 Lucian Freud 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 Lucian Freud?

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 Lucian Freud?

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

Can you review a Lucian Freud 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 Lucian Freud?

Three fundamental questions should always be answered: Is it authentic? What is its condition? Is the price reasonable? For etchings, the impression, paper, edition, signature, printer, publisher, and plate characteristics can also be important; Freud worked directly on copper plates and frequently treated the plate much like a canvas.

How can I avoid buying a fake Lucian Freud?

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 LUCIAN FREUD 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 Lucian Freud, 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.