COULD YOUR ARTWORK BE BY LUCA SIGNORELLI?

Previously unknown works by important artists continue to emerge from private collections, estates, inheritances, and long-held family possessions. While authentic works by Luca Signorelli 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 other work may be by Luca Signorelli, obtaining an independent professional opinion is the appropriate first step. Signorelli produced panel paintings, frescoes, and drawings, and drawing played an important role in his preparation of painted compositions.

We have specialized in the authentication of works attributed to Luca Signorelli 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 Luca Signorelli?

From a single photograph of ordinary quality, we can often determine whether a work appears consistent with Luca Signorelli’s work or whether it clearly does not. A first impression may not be definitive because his surviving production includes panel paintings, frescoes, drawings, workshop participation, and works that have undergone substantial alteration or restoration.

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 Luca Signorelli today?

Yes. Renaissance altarpieces were sometimes dismantled and their individual panels dispersed, while works can also survive with incomplete provenance or attribution. Known Signorelli altarpieces have been separated into fragments now held in different collections.

Do I need to get my Luca Signorelli 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 Luca Signorelli authenticated?

Not for you. For a painting, simply send us photographs of the front and reverse, edges, painted surface, inscriptions, labels and other markings; for a drawing, include the entire sheet and close-ups of the paper, medium, inscriptions and relevant details. The investigation itself is our responsibility.

How long does it take to authenticate a Luca Signorelli?

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 Luca Signorelli?

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 Luca Signorelli painting is authentic?

No. Signed works by Signorelli are known, but a signature must be evaluated together with the painting’s materials, technique, construction, provenance, condition, and other evidence.

Can an unsigned Luca Signorelli painting still be authentic?

Yes. The absence of a signature does not by itself make a painting inauthentic. Authorship must be determined from the work as a whole, including its materials, technique, physical history, provenance, and relationship to Signorelli’s documented production.

What documents help authenticate a Luca Signorelli painting or drawing?

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 Luca Signorelli painting or drawing be authenticated from photographs?

Yes. High-quality photography is an extremely useful authentication tool and allows us to study technique, surface, support or paper, condition, inscriptions, and other 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 Luca Signorelli?

No. Many works can be authenticated through research, provenance investigation, comparative analysis, and technical examination. Scientific analysis of pigments, grounds, wooden supports, paper, inks, or other materials is generally reserved for cases in which additional evidence is needed.

What if my Luca Signorelli has no provenance?

Incomplete provenance is common with works of this age. When provenance is incomplete, authentication relies more heavily on research, technical examination, photography, material evidence, and, where appropriate, scientific testing.

Do you issue Certificates of Authenticity for Luca Signorelli 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 Luca Signorelli work worth?

We will appraise your work and determine its value. Attribution, medium, subject, date, dimensions, condition, provenance, quality, rarity, and whether the work originated as part of a larger altarpiece or decorative ensemble can materially affect value.

SELLING

Can you sell my Luca Signorelli 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 Luca Signorelli?

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 Luca Signorelli?

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 Luca Signorelli?

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 Luca Signorelli 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 Luca Signorelli?

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 Luca Signorelli?

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

Can you review a Luca Signorelli 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 Luca Signorelli?

Three fundamental questions should always be answered: Is it authentic? What is its condition? Is the price reasonable? For Renaissance paintings, support, restoration, provenance, workshop participation, and whether the panel was altered or separated from a larger ensemble can also be particularly important.

How can I avoid buying a fake Luca Signorelli?

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 LUCA SIGNORELLI 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 Luca Signorelli, 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.