COULD YOUR ARTWORK BE BY EDWARD HOPPER?

Previously unknown works by important artists continue to emerge from private collections, estates, inheritances, and long-held family possessions. While authentic works by Edward Hopper 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, watercolor, drawing, print, or other work on paper may be by Edward Hopper, obtaining an independent professional opinion is the appropriate first step. Hopper is one of the most important American artists of the twentieth century and is especially known for paintings and watercolors depicting urban interiors, architecture, landscapes, coastal scenes, and solitary figures.

We have specialized in the authentication of works attributed to Edward Hopper 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 Edward Hopper?

From a single photograph of ordinary quality, we can often determine whether a work appears consistent with Hopper’s work or whether it clearly does not. His production includes oils, watercolors, drawings, etchings, and related works created across several decades, so the proposed date, subject, medium, support, materials, technique, signature, and provenance must all be considered.

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 Hopper today?

Yes. Hopper worked for decades in painting, watercolor, drawing, and printmaking, and previously undocumented works can potentially remain in private collections, estates, family holdings, and collections that have not been fully researched or publicly exhibited.

Do I need to get my Edward Hopper 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 Edward Hopper authenticated?

Not for you. Simply send us photographs of the entire front and reverse, close-up photographs of the painted or drawn surface, signature, date, inscriptions, labels, stamps, stretcher, canvas, panel, paper, frame, 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 Edward Hopper?

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 Edward Hopper?

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 Hopper 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, support, date, provenance, and other physical and documentary characteristics.

Can an unsigned Edward Hopper painting still be authentic?

Yes. The absence of a visible signature does not by itself establish that a painting, watercolor, or drawing is inauthentic. Attribution should be based on the complete body of evidence, including materials, technique, support, date, provenance, and comparison with securely documented works.

What documents help authenticate an Edward Hopper?

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

Can an Edward Hopper painting or watercolor be authenticated from photographs?

Yes. High-quality photography is an extremely useful authentication tool and allows us to study composition, brushwork, watercolor technique, paint application, paper, canvas, surface, 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 Edward Hopper?

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 pigments, binders, canvas, paper, watermarks, grounds, varnishes, inks, or the age and composition of other materials.

Are paper and watermarks important when authenticating an Edward Hopper watercolor?

They can be. Hopper worked extensively in watercolor and drawing, making the physical characteristics of the paper potentially important evidence. Paper composition, manufacture, dimensions, watermarks, chain and laid lines where applicable, aging, mounting, and comparison with papers used in documented works may all contribute to an attribution.

What if my Edward Hopper has no provenance?

Incomplete provenance is common. When provenance is incomplete, authentication relies more heavily on research, technical examination, photography, comparison with documented works, examination of materials and signatures, and, where appropriate, scientific testing.

Do you issue Certificates of Authenticity for Edward Hopper 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 Hopper worth?

We will appraise your work and determine its value. Date, subject, medium, dimensions, condition, provenance, rarity, quality, exhibition history, literature, and current market demand can all materially affect value. Major oil paintings, important watercolors, drawings, and prints occupy very different areas of Hopper’s market.

SELLING

Can you sell my Edward Hopper 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 Hopper?

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 Edward Hopper?

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 Edward Hopper?

Yes. Authentication, provenance, valuation, timing, presentation, exhibition history, publication history, 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 Hopper before selling it?

Usually not. Original surfaces and materials can provide important evidence during authentication, while watercolors and works on paper can be particularly vulnerable to inappropriate cleaning, bleaching, washing, mounting, or exposure to light. We generally recommend having the work evaluated before undertaking conservation or restoration.

How long does it take to sell an Edward Hopper?

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 Edward Hopper?

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

Can you review an Edward Hopper 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 Hopper?

Three fundamental questions should always be answered: Is it authentic? What is its condition? Is the price reasonable? For Hopper, the proposed date, subject, medium, support, pigments, paper, watermark where relevant, signature, provenance, exhibition history, publication history, and relationship to documented works from the same period can all be particularly important.

How can I avoid buying a fake Edward Hopper?

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, incorrectly dated, incorrectly described, reproduced, 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 EDWARD HOPPER 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 Hopper, 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.