COULD YOUR PAINTING BE BY MICHAEL SITTOW?

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

We have specialized in the authentication of works attributed to Michael Sittow 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 Michael Sittow?

From a single photograph of ordinary quality, we can often determine whether a painting appears consistent with Michael Sittow’s work or whether it clearly does not. A first impression may not be definitive because his surviving oeuvre is relatively small and is particularly associated with highly refined portrait painting.

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 Michael Sittow today?

Yes. Sittow worked for several European courts, and the identification of his surviving oeuvre has depended heavily on historical research and attribution. Paintings with incomplete provenance or older attributions may therefore warrant careful investigation.

Do I need to get my Michael Sittow 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 Michael Sittow authenticated?

Not for you. Simply send us photographs of the front and reverse, close-up photographs of the painted surface, edges, inscriptions, labels and other markings, 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 Michael Sittow?

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 Michael Sittow?

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 Michael Sittow painting is authentic?

No. A signature or inscription must be evaluated together with the painting’s materials, technique, support, provenance, condition, and relationship to Sittow’s documented work. A signature alone is not sufficient proof of authorship.

Can an unsigned Michael Sittow painting still be authentic?

Yes. The absence of a signature does not by itself make a painting inauthentic. Attribution must be based on the painting’s technique, materials, construction, provenance, and other historical and physical evidence.

What documents help authenticate a Michael Sittow 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, and family papers can all contribute valuable evidence.

Can a Michael Sittow painting be authenticated from photographs?

Yes. High-quality photography is an extremely useful authentication tool and allows us to study composition, paint application, surface, support, 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 Michael Sittow?

No. Many paintings can be authenticated through research, provenance investigation, comparative analysis, and technical examination. Scientific analysis of pigments, grounds, wooden supports, or other materials is generally reserved for cases in which additional evidence concerning age or composition is required.

What if my Michael Sittow has no provenance?

Incomplete provenance is common with paintings 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 Michael Sittow 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 Michael Sittow painting worth?

We will appraise your painting and determine its value. Attribution, subject, date, dimensions, condition, provenance, rarity, quality, and current market demand are particularly important valuation factors.

SELLING

Can you sell my Michael Sittow 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 Michael Sittow?

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 Michael Sittow?

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 Michael Sittow?

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 Michael Sittow 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 do otherwise.

How long does it take to sell a Michael Sittow?

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 Michael Sittow?

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

Can you review a Michael Sittow 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 Michael Sittow?

Three fundamental questions should always be answered: Is it authentic? What is its condition? Is the price reasonable? For an early Netherlandish painting attributed to Sittow, the support, materials, conservation history, provenance, and relationship to his documented portraits are also important considerations.

How can I avoid buying a fake Michael Sittow?

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 MICHAEL SITTOW 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 Michael Sittow, 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.