COULD YOUR PAINTING BE BY BERNARDINO MEI?

Previously unknown works by important artists continue to emerge from private collections, estates, inheritances, and long-held family possessions. While authentic works by Bernardino Mei 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 may be by Bernardino Mei, obtaining an independent professional opinion is the appropriate first step. Mei was principally a painter but also worked as a draftsman, printmaker, engraver, and fresco painter.

We have specialized in the authentication of works attributed to Bernardino Mei 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 Bernardino Mei?

From a single photograph of ordinary quality, we can often determine whether a work appears consistent with Mei’s work or whether it clearly does not. His paintings include religious, allegorical, historical, and secular subjects, and questions of workshop participation or later attribution can make detailed examination important.

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 Bernardino Mei today?

Yes. Seventeenth-century paintings, drawings, and related works can remain in private collections or descend through families without having been widely published or documented.

Do I need to get my Bernardino Mei 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 Bernardino Mei authenticated?

Not for you. Simply send us photographs of the front and reverse, close-ups of signatures, inscriptions, labels and 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 a Bernardino Mei?

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 Bernardino Mei?

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 Bernardino Mei painting is authentic?

No. Signed and dated paintings by Mei are documented, but a signature must be evaluated together with the paint, support, technique, age, provenance, and other physical evidence.

Can an unsigned Bernardino Mei painting still be authentic?

Yes. The absence of a signature does not by itself make a painting inauthentic. An unsigned work must be evaluated through its materials, technique, provenance, and relationship to securely attributed paintings.

What documents help authenticate a Bernardino Mei painting?

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 Bernardino Mei painting be authenticated from photographs?

Yes. High-quality photography allows us to study composition, paint application, surface, support, signature, 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 Bernardino Mei?

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 pigments, grounds, canvas, wood, or other materials.

What if my Bernardino Mei has no provenance?

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

Do you issue Certificates of Authenticity for Bernardino Mei 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 Bernardino Mei painting worth?

We will appraise your painting and determine its value. Important factors include attribution, period, subject, dimensions, condition, provenance, quality, rarity, and current market demand.

SELLING

Can you sell my Bernardino Mei 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 Bernardino Mei?

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 Bernardino Mei?

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 Bernardino Mei?

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 Bernardino Mei 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 a Bernardino Mei?

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 Bernardino Mei?

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

Can you review a Bernardino Mei 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 Bernardino Mei?

Three fundamental questions should always be answered: Is it authentic? What is its condition? Is the price reasonable? For Mei, the attribution, period, provenance, materials, and possible relationship to workshop production are also important considerations.

How can I avoid buying a fake Bernardino Mei?

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 BERNARDINO MEI 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 Bernardino Mei, 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.