COULD YOUR ARTWORK BE BY ARSHILE GORKY?

Previously unknown works by important artists continue to emerge from private collections, estates, inheritances, and long-held family possessions. While authentic works by Arshile Gorky 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, watercolor, or other work on paper may be by Arshile Gorky, obtaining an independent professional opinion is the appropriate first step.

We have specialized in the authentication of works attributed to Arshile Gorky 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 an Arshile Gorky?

From a single photograph of ordinary quality, we can often determine whether a work appears consistent with Gorky’s work or whether it clearly does not. His artistic development encompassed markedly different periods, from early works influenced by European modernism to the fluid, biomorphic abstractions of his mature career, so date, medium, materials, and technique must be considered carefully.

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 Arshile Gorky today?

Yes. Gorky produced paintings and a substantial body of drawings and other works on paper, and previously undocumented works can potentially remain in private collections, estates, and family holdings. Any proposed discovery must be evaluated carefully on the basis of its individual evidence.

Do I need to get my Arshile Gorky 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 an Arshile Gorky authenticated?

Not for you. Simply send us photographs of the front and reverse, close-up photographs of the surface or paper, signature, date, inscriptions, labels, stamps, edges, and other important details, together with the dimensions and anything you know about the work’s history. The investigation itself is our responsibility.

How long does it take to authenticate an Arshile Gorky?

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 an Arshile Gorky?

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 an Arshile Gorky painting is authentic?

No. A signature or inscription is only one element of evidence and cannot establish authenticity by itself. It must be evaluated together with the work’s materials, technique, date, provenance, and physical characteristics.

Can an unsigned Arshile Gorky painting still be authentic?

Yes. The absence of a signature does not by itself establish that a painting is inauthentic. Attribution should be based on the work as a whole, including its materials, technique, period, provenance, and other physical evidence.

What documents help authenticate an Arshile Gorky painting?

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

Can an Arshile Gorky painting be authenticated from photographs?

Yes. High-quality photography is an extremely useful authentication tool and allows us to study composition, paint application, surface, support, signatures, 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 an Arshile Gorky?

No. Many works 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, canvas, paper, inks, grounds, or other materials.

What if my Arshile Gorky has no provenance?

Incomplete provenance is not by itself proof that a work is inauthentic. When provenance is incomplete, authentication relies more heavily on historical research, technical examination, photography, and, where appropriate, scientific testing.

Do you issue Certificates of Authenticity for Arshile Gorky 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 Arshile Gorky painting worth?

We will appraise your work and determine its value. Period, subject, medium, dimensions, condition, provenance, rarity, quality, and current market demand can all materially affect the value of a Gorky painting.

SELLING

Can you sell my Arshile Gorky 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 Arshile Gorky?

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 Arshile Gorky?

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 Arshile Gorky?

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 Arshile Gorky before selling it?

Usually not. Buyers often have their own preferences regarding conservation and restoration, and original surfaces and supports can be particularly important. 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 an Arshile Gorky?

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 an Arshile Gorky?

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

Can you review an Arshile Gorky 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 an Arshile Gorky?

Three fundamental questions should always be answered: Is it authentic? What is its condition? Is the price reasonable? For Gorky, the proposed date, provenance, materials, support, technique, inscriptions, exhibition history, and relationship to documented works from the same period can also be particularly important.

How can I avoid buying a fake Arshile Gorky?

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 AN ARSHILE GORKY 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 Arshile Gorky, 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.