COULD YOUR ARTWORK BE BY JACOB LAWRENCE?

Previously unknown works by important artists continue to emerge from private collections, estates, inheritances, and long-held family possessions. While authentic works by Jacob Lawrence 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, gouache, tempera, drawing, print, mural study, or other work on paper may be by Jacob Lawrence, obtaining an independent professional opinion is the appropriate first step. Lawrence was one of the most important American artists of the twentieth century and is especially known for narrative cycles addressing African American history, migration, labor, daily life, and social struggle. His distinctive visual language combines flattened forms, rhythmic composition, sharply defined silhouettes, compressed space, and strong areas of color.

We have specialized in the authentication of works attributed to Jacob Lawrence 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 Jacob Lawrence?

From a single photograph of ordinary quality, we can often determine whether a work appears consistent with Lawrence’s work or whether it clearly does not. His production includes tempera paintings, gouaches, drawings, prints, mural studies, and narrative series, so the proposed date, subject, medium, support, palette, composition, drawing, signature, inscriptions, 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 Jacob Lawrence today?

Yes. Lawrence maintained a long and productive career and produced paintings, drawings, gouaches, prints, studies, and related works over many decades. Previously undocumented examples can remain in private collections, estates, family holdings, and collections that have not been publicly exhibited or thoroughly researched.

Do I need to get my Jacob Lawrence 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 Jacob Lawrence authenticated?

Not for you. Simply send us photographs of the entire front and reverse, close-up photographs of the painted, drawn, or printed surface, signature, date, inscriptions, labels, stamps, paper, board, Masonite or other support, 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 a Jacob Lawrence?

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 Jacob Lawrence?

From the low hundreds to the high thousands. It depends on how much is already known and documented, where relevant archives and comparative works are located, and whether travel or scientific testing is required.

Can a signature alone prove that a Jacob Lawrence work 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 Jacob Lawrence work still be authentic?

Yes. The absence of a visible signature does not by itself establish that a painting, drawing, or work on paper 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 a Jacob Lawrence?

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, studio records, and previous ownership records can all contribute valuable evidence.

Can a Jacob Lawrence work be authenticated from photographs?

Yes. High-quality photography is an extremely useful authentication tool and allows us to study composition, color relationships, line, paint application, paper, board, 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 a Jacob Lawrence?

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, tempera or gouache binders, paper, board, Masonite, grounds, inks, adhesives, or the age and composition of other materials.

Are narrative series important in Jacob Lawrence authentication?

Yes. Lawrence is especially associated with narrative cycles in which multiple works tell a larger historical or social story. Sequence, subject, dimensions, inscriptions, numbering, palette, compositional rhythm, and relationship to documented panels from the same series can therefore provide important evidence.

Is The Migration Series important when authenticating Jacob Lawrence?

Yes. The Migration Series is one of Lawrence’s best-known bodies of work and established many of the visual characteristics associated with his mature style. Works merely resembling panels from the series should be approached cautiously, however, because subject matter and stylistic similarity alone cannot establish authenticity.

Are historical subjects important in Jacob Lawrence authentication?

Yes. Lawrence repeatedly addressed historical figures and events, including migration, abolition, revolution, labor, and African American history. Identifying the narrative context of a work can assist dating and comparison, particularly when a piece may relate to a known series or commission.

Are everyday urban scenes important in Lawrence authentication?

Yes. In addition to historical narratives, Lawrence depicted daily life, workers, builders, streets, interiors, transportation, and community scenes. The organization of figures, architecture, diagonals, color blocks, and compressed space can provide useful comparative evidence.

Are works on paper important in Jacob Lawrence authentication?

Yes. Lawrence worked extensively in gouache, tempera, watercolor, ink, pencil, and other media on paper and board. Paper type, board, dimensions, color application, underdrawing, inscriptions, and mounting can therefore provide valuable technical evidence.

Are prints important when authenticating Jacob Lawrence?

Yes. Lawrence produced a significant body of prints, including screenprints, lithographs, and other graphic works. Edition size, artist’s proofs, printer, publisher, paper, dimensions, signature, numbering, color registration, and printing technique should all be checked carefully against documented examples.

Are Lawrence’s colors important for authentication?

Yes. Lawrence often used clearly separated areas of strong color arranged in carefully controlled relationships across the composition. Palette, repetition of color, edge treatment, layering, and how color directs movement through the image can all provide useful comparative evidence, but color alone cannot prove authorship.

What if my Jacob Lawrence has no provenance?

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

Do you issue Certificates of Authenticity for Jacob Lawrence 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 Jacob Lawrence worth?

We will appraise your work and determine its value. Date, series, subject, medium, dimensions, condition, provenance, rarity, quality, exhibition history, publication history, and current market demand can all materially affect value. Major narrative paintings, works related to important historical series, gouaches, drawings, mural studies, and editioned prints may occupy very different areas of Lawrence’s market.

SELLING

Can you sell my Jacob Lawrence 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 Jacob Lawrence?

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 Jacob Lawrence?

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 Jacob Lawrence?

Yes. Authentication, provenance, valuation, timing, presentation, series identification, 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 Jacob Lawrence before selling it?

Usually not. Tempera, gouache, paper, board, and other materials used by Lawrence can be sensitive to inappropriate cleaning, flattening, overpainting, varnishing, or retouching. Original surface, support, inscriptions, labels, and mounting evidence may also be important to authentication and value. We generally recommend having the work evaluated before undertaking treatment.

How long does it take to sell a Jacob Lawrence?

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 Jacob Lawrence?

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

Can you review a Jacob Lawrence 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 Jacob Lawrence?

Three fundamental questions should always be answered: Is it authentic? What is its condition? Is the price reasonable? For Lawrence, the proposed date, series, subject, medium, dimensions, support, palette, composition, drawing, signature, inscriptions, provenance, exhibition history, publication history, and relationship to documented works from the same period can all be particularly important. For prints, edition information, printer, publisher, paper, and impression quality should also be verified.

How can I avoid buying a fake Jacob Lawrence?

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, unauthorized, incorrectly editioned, 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 A JACOB LAWRENCE 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 Jacob Lawrence, 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.