COULD YOUR ARTWORK BE BY ÉDOUARD MANET?

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

We have specialized in the authentication of works attributed to Édouard Manet 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 Édouard Manet?

From a single photograph of ordinary quality, we can often determine whether a work appears consistent with Manet’s work or whether it clearly does not. A first impression may not be definitive because his technique, degree of finish, and choice of subject varied considerably across paintings and works on paper.

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 Édouard Manet today?

Yes. Paintings and works on paper can remain in private collections, estates, inheritances, and family holdings for generations, and an unfamiliar or incompletely documented work may warrant investigation.

Do I need to get my Édouard Manet 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 Édouard Manet authenticated?

Not for you. Simply send us photographs of the front and reverse, close-up photographs of the signature, inscriptions, labels, stamps, and other important details, 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 Édouard Manet?

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 Édouard Manet?

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 Édouard Manet painting is authentic?

No. A signature must be evaluated together with the painting’s technique, materials, support, provenance, and other evidence. Signatures can also be copied, altered, or added to works at a later date.

Can an unsigned Édouard Manet painting still be authentic?

Yes. Manet’s paintings and studies cannot be accepted or rejected solely on the presence or absence of a signature. An unsigned work should be assessed through its technique, materials, provenance, and other available evidence.

What documents help authenticate an Édouard Manet painting or work on paper?

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 an Édouard Manet painting or work on paper be authenticated from photographs?

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

No. Many works can be authenticated through research, provenance investigation, analysis, and technical examination. Scientific testing is generally reserved for more difficult cases when questions remain concerning the age or composition of pigments, paint layers, canvas, paper, or other materials.

What if my Édouard Manet 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 Édouard Manet 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 Édouard Manet worth?

We will appraise your work and determine its value. Medium, date, subject, dimensions, condition, provenance, rarity, and market demand are among the principal factors that can affect the value of a Manet.

SELLING

Can you sell my Édouard Manet 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 Édouard Manet?

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 Édouard Manet?

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 Édouard Manet?

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 Édouard Manet 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 an Édouard Manet?

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 Édouard Manet?

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

Can you review an Édouard Manet 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 Édouard Manet?

Three fundamental questions should always be answered: Is it authentic? What is its condition? Is the price reasonable? Provenance, medium, date, and the work’s physical and documentary history may also be important.

How can I avoid buying a fake Édouard Manet?

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 ÉDOUARD MANET 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 Édouard Manet, 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.