COULD YOUR ARTWORK BE BY HENRI MATISSE?

Previously unknown works by important artists continue to emerge from private collections, estates, inheritances, and long-held family possessions. While authentic works by Henri Matisse 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, print, sculpture, or work on paper may be by Henri Matisse, obtaining an independent professional opinion is the appropriate first step. His extensive oeuvre encompassed painting, drawing, sculpture, printmaking, book illustration, and his celebrated paper cut-outs.

We have specialized in the authentication of works attributed to Henri Matisse 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 Henri Matisse?

From a single photograph of ordinary quality, we can often determine whether a work appears consistent with Henri Matisse’s work or whether it clearly does not. Because his long career encompassed markedly different periods and techniques, the work must be assessed in relation to its proposed date and medium.

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 Henri Matisse today?

Yes. Matisse worked for more than six decades and produced extensively across painting, drawing, sculpture, graphic arts, book illustration, and paper cut-outs, so works can remain in private collections or family ownership without broad public documentation.

Do I need to get my Henri Matisse 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 Henri Matisse authenticated?

Not for you. For paintings and works on paper, simply send us photographs of the front and reverse, close-ups of important details, signatures or inscriptions, dimensions, and anything you know about the work’s history. The investigation itself is our responsibility.

How long does it take to authenticate a Henri Matisse?

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 Henri Matisse?

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 a Henri Matisse painting is authentic?

No. A signature is only one element of an authentication. Paint application, materials, support, technique, date, provenance, and documentary evidence must also be considered.

Can an unsigned Henri Matisse painting or drawing still be authentic?

Yes. The absence of a signature does not by itself make a work inauthentic. The work should be evaluated according to its materials, technique, period, provenance, and relationship to securely documented works.

What documents help authenticate a Henri Matisse painting or drawing?

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 a Henri Matisse painting or drawing be authenticated from photographs?

Yes. High-quality photography is an extremely useful authentication tool and allows us to study paint application or line, surface, support, paper, inscriptions, signatures, 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 Henri Matisse?

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, paper, canvas, adhesives, or other materials.

What if my Henri Matisse has no provenance?

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

Do you issue Certificates of Authenticity for Henri Matisse 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 Henri Matisse work worth?

We will appraise your work and determine its value. Medium, period, subject, dimensions, condition, provenance, rarity, and market demand are particularly important because Matisse’s oeuvre ranges from drawings and prints to paintings, sculpture, and unique paper cut-outs.

SELLING

Can you sell my Henri Matisse 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 Henri Matisse?

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 Henri Matisse?

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 Henri Matisse?

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 Henri Matisse 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 a Henri Matisse?

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 Henri Matisse?

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

Can you review a Henri Matisse 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 Henri Matisse?

Three fundamental questions should always be answered: Is it authentic? What is its condition? Is the price reasonable? The exact medium, date, provenance, and, for prints, edition and impression information should also be examined carefully.

How can I avoid buying a fake Henri Matisse?

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 A HENRI MATISSE 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 Henri Matisse, 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.