COULD YOUR PAINTING BE BY EDWARD HICKS?

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

We have specialized in the authentication of works attributed to Edward Hicks 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 front and reverse, close-ups of signatures, inscriptions and labels, the dimensions, and any information you have regarding the painting’s history or ownership. After reviewing the material, we will recommend the most appropriate course of action.

AUTHENTICATION

Is this an Edward Hicks?

From a single photograph of ordinary quality, we can often determine whether a painting appears consistent with Hicks’s work or whether it clearly does not. His distinctive compositions must still be assessed through technique, materials, subject, construction, period, and comparison with securely attributed paintings.

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 Edward Hicks today?

Yes. Hicks produced numerous paintings that passed into private ownership, including repeated variations on favored subjects, so undocumented works can still emerge from estates, inheritances, and family collections. His *Peaceable Kingdom* theme alone exists in numerous versions.

Do I need to get my Edward Hicks 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 an Edward Hicks authenticated?

Not for you. Simply send us photographs of the front and reverse, close-ups of important details and markings, the dimensions, and anything you know about the painting’s history. The investigation itself is our responsibility.

How long does it take to authenticate an Edward Hicks?

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 an Edward Hicks?

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 Edward Hicks painting is authentic?

No. A signature or inscription is only one element of an authentication and must be considered together with materials, technique, support, age, subject, and provenance.

Can an unsigned Edward Hicks painting still be authentic?

Yes. The absence of a signature does not by itself make a painting inauthentic. Technique, materials, composition, provenance, and comparison with securely attributed Hicks paintings may provide more significant evidence.

What documents help authenticate an Edward Hicks 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, sales records, inventories, and family papers can all contribute valuable evidence.

Can an Edward Hicks painting be authenticated from photographs?

Yes. High-quality photography is an extremely useful authentication tool and allows us to examine composition, paint handling, surface, support, signatures, inscriptions, and condition 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 Edward Hicks?

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 the age or composition of the canvas or panel, ground, pigments, or other materials.

What if my Edward Hicks has no provenance?

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

Do you issue Certificates of Authenticity for Edward Hicks 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 Edward Hicks painting worth?

We will appraise your painting and determine its value. Subject, period, dimensions, quality, condition, provenance, rarity, and market demand are important factors, with characteristic subjects such as *Peaceable Kingdom* compositions requiring especially careful comparison with documented examples.

SELLING

Can you sell my Edward Hicks 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 Edward Hicks?

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 Edward Hicks?

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 Edward Hicks?

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 Edward Hicks 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 an Edward Hicks?

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 an Edward Hicks?

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

Can you review an Edward Hicks 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 Edward Hicks?

Three fundamental questions should always be answered: Is it authentic? What is its condition? Is the price reasonable? Subject, period, support, provenance, restoration history, and the relationship of the composition to documented Hicks paintings may also be important.

How can I avoid buying a fake Edward Hicks?

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 AN EDWARD HICKS 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 Edward Hicks, 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.