COULD YOUR ARTWORK BE BY FRANCIS PICABIA?

Previously unknown works by important artists continue to emerge from private collections, estates, inheritances, and long-held family possessions. While authentic works by Francis Picabia 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 other work on paper may be by Francis Picabia, obtaining an independent professional opinion is the appropriate first step.

We have specialized in the authentication of works attributed to Francis Picabia 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 Francis Picabia?

From a single photograph of ordinary quality, we can often determine whether a work appears consistent with Picabia’s work or whether it clearly does not. His exceptionally varied career encompassed paintings and works on paper executed in markedly different styles and techniques, so a first impression must always be considered in relation to the work’s proposed date and 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 Francis Picabia today?

Yes. Picabia worked for almost five decades and repeatedly changed his techniques and visual language, while works passed into private collections throughout his career. Previously unfamiliar or incompletely documented works can therefore still warrant careful investigation.

Do I need to get my Francis Picabia 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 Francis Picabia authenticated?

Not for you. Simply send us clear photographs of the front and reverse, close-up photographs 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 Francis Picabia?

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 Francis Picabia?

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 Francis Picabia painting is authentic?

No. A signature or inscription is only one element of an authentication and must be evaluated together with the materials, support, technique, surface, provenance, and other physical and documentary evidence.

Can an unsigned Francis Picabia painting still be authentic?

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

What documents help authenticate a Francis Picabia painting or work on paper?

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 Francis Picabia painting, drawing, or watercolor be authenticated from photographs?

Yes. High-quality photography is an extremely useful authentication tool and allows us to study important characteristics remotely. Photographs of the front, reverse, support, inscriptions, labels, edges, and surface details can be particularly useful. 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 Francis Picabia?

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, canvas, board, paper, pigments, inks, or other materials.

What if my Francis Picabia 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 Francis Picabia 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 Francis Picabia painting or work on paper worth?

We will appraise your work and determine its value. Important factors include medium, date, dimensions, condition, provenance, rarity, subject, and the work’s relationship to the different periods of Picabia’s career. Because his production changed dramatically over time, precise dating and identification can be especially important when assessing market value.

SELLING

Can you sell my Francis Picabia 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 Francis Picabia?

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 Francis Picabia?

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 Francis Picabia?

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 Francis Picabia 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 Francis Picabia?

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 Francis Picabia?

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

Can you review a Francis Picabia 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 Francis Picabia?

Three fundamental questions should always be answered: Is it authentic? What is its condition? Is the price reasonable? The proposed date, medium, provenance, and relationship to Picabia’s highly varied stylistic periods should also be carefully evaluated.

How can I avoid buying a fake Francis Picabia?

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 FRANCIS PICABIA 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 Francis Picabia, 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.