GIORGIO MORANDI

1890–1964

COULD YOUR ARTWORK BE BY GIORGIO MORANDI?

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

We have specialized in the authentication of works attributed to Giorgio Morandi 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 Giorgio Morandi?

From a single photograph of ordinary quality, we can often determine whether a work appears consistent with Morandi’s work or whether it clearly does not. His deceptively restrained compositions require particularly careful attention to proportions, spatial relationships, palette, brushwork, materials, and technique.

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 Giorgio Morandi today?

Yes. Morandi worked over several decades in painting, drawing, watercolor, and printmaking, and previously undocumented or misidentified works can still emerge from private collections, estates, inheritances, and family holdings.

Do I need to get my Giorgio Morandi 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 Giorgio Morandi authenticated?

Not for you. Simply send us photographs of the front and reverse, close-up photographs of the signature, inscriptions, paint surface or paper, labels 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 a Giorgio Morandi?

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 Giorgio Morandi?

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 Giorgio Morandi painting is authentic?

No. A signature must be evaluated together with the painting’s materials, technique, support, date, provenance, and other physical and documentary evidence.

Can an unsigned Giorgio Morandi painting still be authentic?

Yes. The absence of a signature does not by itself make a painting inauthentic. The work must be evaluated as a whole.

What documents help authenticate a Giorgio Morandi painting?

Any document that mentions, describes, illustrates, or refers to the painting may assist the authentication. Photographs, invoices, correspondence, collection records, exhibition catalogues, restoration or conservation reports, insurance documents, auction records, and family papers can all contribute valuable evidence.

Can a Giorgio Morandi painting be authenticated from photographs?

Yes. High-quality photography is an extremely useful authentication tool and allows us to study composition, brushwork, paint surface, signature, inscriptions, support, labels, and other 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 Giorgio Morandi?

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

What if my Giorgio Morandi 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 Giorgio Morandi 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 Giorgio Morandi work worth?

We will appraise your work and determine its value. Important factors include medium, date, subject, dimensions, condition, provenance, rarity, quality, and current market demand. For prints, the edition, state, impression, and paper may also affect value.

SELLING

Can you sell my Giorgio Morandi 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 Giorgio Morandi?

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 Giorgio Morandi?

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 Giorgio Morandi?

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 Giorgio Morandi 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 Giorgio Morandi?

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 Giorgio Morandi?

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

Can you review a Giorgio Morandi 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 Giorgio Morandi?

Three fundamental questions should always be answered: Is it authentic? What is its condition? Is the price reasonable? Medium, date, provenance, dimensions, materials, exhibition history, and documentary history can also significantly affect the importance and market value of the work.

How can I avoid buying a fake Giorgio Morandi?

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 GIORGIO MORANDI 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 Giorgio Morandi, 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.