COULD YOUR PAINTING BE BY LOUISE MOILLON?

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

We have specialized in the authentication of works attributed to Louise Moillon 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 painting 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 Louise Moillon?

From a single photograph of ordinary quality, we can often determine whether a painting appears consistent with Louise Moillon’s work or whether it clearly does not. Her precise treatment of fruit, controlled surfaces, restrained compositions, and use of panel or canvas provide useful points of comparison, although condition and later restoration can affect a first impression.

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 Louise Moillon today?

Yes. Moillon’s securely recognized body of work is comparatively limited, and paintings can still emerge from private collections, estates, and old family holdings with incomplete or forgotten histories.

Do I need to get my Louise Moillon authenticated?

Yes. Authentication is essential if you wish to sell your painting 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 Louise Moillon authenticated?

Not for you. Simply send us clear photographs of the front and reverse, close-ups of the signature or inscriptions, the support and frame, the dimensions, and anything you know about the painting’s history. The investigation itself is our responsibility.

How long does it take to authenticate a Louise Moillon?

It depends on how much is already known about the painting 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 Louise Moillon?

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 Louise Moillon painting is authentic?

No. Authentic paintings are known with signatures such as “Louyse Moillon,” sometimes accompanied by a date, but the signature must be evaluated together with the painting’s materials, technique, style, age, and provenance.

Can an unsigned Louise Moillon painting still be authentic?

Yes. Not every accepted painting by Moillon is signed; the Louvre, for example, records a 1630 painting as dated but unsigned. The absence of a signature therefore does not by itself exclude authenticity.

What documents help authenticate a Louise Moillon painting?

Any document that mentions, describes, illustrates, or refers to the painting 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 Louise Moillon painting be authenticated from photographs?

Yes. High-quality photographs allow us to examine composition, paint handling, surface characteristics, support, signatures, inscriptions, and condition 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 Louise Moillon?

No. Many paintings can be evaluated through provenance research, comparative analysis, technical examination, and high-resolution photography. Scientific testing of pigments, ground layers, wood panels, canvas, or other materials is generally reserved for cases where important questions remain.

What if my Louise Moillon has no provenance?

Incomplete provenance is common, particularly with paintings that have remained in private families for generations. In such cases, authentication relies more heavily on technical examination, comparative research, photography, and, where appropriate, scientific testing.

Do you issue Certificates of Authenticity for Louise Moillon 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 Louise Moillon painting worth?

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

SELLING

Can you sell my Louise Moillon 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 Louise Moillon?

Yes. Your painting 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 Louise Moillon?

Yes. Without authentication, your painting may sell for only a fraction of its potential market value.

Can you help me maximize the selling price of my Louise Moillon?

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 Louise Moillon before selling it?

Usually not. Buyers often have their own preferences regarding conservation and restoration, particularly with Old Master paintings. 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 Louise Moillon?

Higher-value paintings 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 Louise Moillon?

If you enjoy Moillon’s still-life paintings, certainly. If your primary objective is investment, we can evaluate the proposed acquisition, its price and quality, and alternative opportunities.

Can you review a Louise Moillon 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 Louise Moillon?

Three fundamental questions should always be answered: Is it authentic? What is its condition? Is the price reasonable? For Moillon, the painting’s date, support, provenance, signature or inscriptions, restoration history, and relationship to securely documented works can also be important.

How can I avoid buying a fake Louise Moillon?

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 painting.

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 LOUISE MOILLON 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 Louise Moillon, 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.