COULD YOUR ARTWORK BE BY EDVARD MUNCH?

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

We have specialized in the authentication of works attributed to Edvard Munch 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 Edvard Munch?

From a single photograph of ordinary quality, we can often determine whether a work appears consistent with Munch’s work or whether it clearly does not. Because Munch worked extensively in painting, drawing, lithography, woodcut, and other printmaking techniques, the relevant characteristics depend on the 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 Edvard Munch today?

Yes. Munch produced a substantial body of paintings and graphic works over a long career, and works with incomplete or previously unrecognized histories can still emerge from private ownership. His documented output includes nearly 1,800 catalogued paintings and more than 750 distinct graphic compositions.

Do I need to get my Edvard Munch 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 Edvard Munch authenticated?

Not for you. Send us clear photographs of the front and reverse, close-ups of signatures, inscriptions 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 an Edvard Munch?

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 Edvard Munch?

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 Edvard Munch painting is authentic?

No. A signature must be evaluated together with the painting itself, including its materials, technique, surface, provenance, and other physical and documentary evidence.

Can an unsigned Edvard Munch painting still be authentic?

Yes. The absence of a signature does not by itself establish that a painting is inauthentic. Attribution must be based on the work as a whole and the available technical, documentary, and comparative evidence.

What documents help authenticate an Edvard Munch painting or print?

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 Edvard Munch painting, drawing, or print be authenticated from photographs?

Yes. High-quality photography is an extremely useful authentication tool and allows us to study 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 Edvard Munch?

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 paint, paper, pigments, inks, or other materials.

What if my Edvard Munch 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 Edvard Munch 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 Edvard Munch painting or print worth?

We will appraise your work and determine its value. For Munch, important factors can include medium, date and period, subject, dimensions, condition, provenance, rarity, and, for prints, the particular impression, state, and printing characteristics. Munch frequently revisited subjects across different media and produced print variants, making the precise identification of a work particularly important.

SELLING

Can you sell my Edvard Munch 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 Edvard Munch?

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 Edvard Munch?

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 Edvard Munch?

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 Edvard Munch 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 Edvard Munch?

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 Edvard Munch?

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

Can you review an Edvard Munch 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 Edvard Munch?

Three fundamental questions should always be answered: Is it authentic? What is its condition? Is the price reasonable? For a print, the technique, state, impression, paper, inscriptions, and printing history may also materially affect identification and value.

How can I avoid buying a fake Edvard Munch?

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 EDVARD MUNCH 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 Edvard Munch, 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.