COULD YOUR PAINTING BE BY MAXFIELD PARRISH?

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

We have specialized in the authentication of works attributed to Maxfield Parrish 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, including clear images of the front, reverse, signature or inscriptions, relevant details, 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 Maxfield Parrish?

From a single photograph of ordinary quality, we can often determine whether a painting appears consistent with Maxfield Parrish's work or whether it clearly does not. A first impression is not always definitive because Parrish worked across original paintings, illustrations, designs, and images reproduced in period publications, making the relationship between an original and its published context potentially 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 Maxfield Parrish today?

Yes. Original Parrish paintings and studies can remain in private collections or family possessions for generations, while his extensive use of paintings for books, magazines, posters, calendars, and advertising creates additional opportunities to identify previously undocumented works.

Do I need to get my Maxfield Parrish 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 Maxfield Parrish authenticated?

Not for you. Simply send us photographs of the front and reverse, close-up photographs of the signature and important details, 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 Maxfield Parrish?

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 Maxfield Parrish?

From the low hundreds to the high thousands. It depends on how much is already known and documented, where relevant archival material is located, and whether travel or scientific testing is required.

Can a signature alone prove that a Maxfield Parrish painting is authentic?

No. Parrish's signature or initials can provide important evidence, but authentication must consider the painting as a whole, including its materials, technique, composition, condition, provenance, and relationship to documented Parrish works. Surviving examples of Parrish paintings include both signatures and initials.

Can an unsigned Maxfield Parrish painting still be authentic?

Yes. The absence of a signature does not by itself make a Parrish painting inauthentic. Attribution should be based on the complete body of evidence rather than the presence or absence of a signature.

What documents help authenticate a Maxfield Parrish 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, period publications, and family papers can all contribute valuable evidence.

Can a Maxfield Parrish painting 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 a Maxfield Parrish?

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 materials.

What if my Maxfield Parrish 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 Maxfield Parrish 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 Maxfield Parrish painting worth?

We will appraise your painting and determine its value. Principal factors include period, subject, dimensions, condition, provenance, rarity, relationship to Parrish's published or documented imagery, and current market demand. Parrish paintings and original works associated with his major illustrated images can occupy very different market categories, so the specific work must be evaluated individually.

SELLING

Can you sell my Maxfield Parrish 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 Maxfield Parrish?

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 Maxfield Parrish?

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 Maxfield Parrish?

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 Maxfield Parrish 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 undertake conservation beforehand.

How long does it take to sell a Maxfield Parrish?

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 Maxfield Parrish?

If you enjoy Maxfield Parrish's work, certainly. If your primary objective is investment, we can evaluate the proposed acquisition and alternative opportunities without relying on unsupported predictions about future appreciation.

Can you review a Maxfield Parrish 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 Maxfield Parrish?

Three fundamental questions should always be answered: Is it authentic? What is its condition? Is the price reasonable? For Parrish, the relationship between an original painting and its known published or illustrated context can also be important.

How can I avoid buying a fake Maxfield Parrish?

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 MAXFIELD PARRISH 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 Maxfield Parrish, 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.