COULD YOUR PAINTING BE BY ROGIER VAN DER WEYDEN?

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

We have specialized in the authentication of works attributed to Rogier van der Weyden 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 Rogier van der Weyden?

From a single photograph of ordinary quality, we can often determine whether a painting appears consistent with Rogier van der Weyden’s work or whether it clearly does not. A first impression may not be definitive because attribution is complicated by his active Brussels workshop, assistants, followers, copies, and the uncertain chronology of parts of his surviving oeuvre.

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 Rogier van der Weyden today?

Yes. Works associated with Rogier, his workshop, and his circle continue to be reassessed through curatorial, conservation, and scientific research. Losses of historical records and the widespread influence of his compositions make careful investigation of an unfamiliar early Netherlandish painting worthwhile.

Do I need to get my Rogier van der Weyden 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 Rogier van der Weyden authenticated?

Not for you. Simply send us photographs of the front and reverse, edges, painted surface, 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 Rogier van der Weyden?

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 Rogier van der Weyden?

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 Rogier van der Weyden painting is authentic?

No. Attribution must rest on the painting’s materials, technique, construction, underdrawing, provenance, condition, and relationship to securely accepted works. The surviving oeuvre presents significant attribution questions, so a signature or inscription alone cannot establish authorship.

Can an unsigned Rogier van der Weyden painting still be authentic?

Yes. The absence of a signature does not by itself make a painting inauthentic. For a fifteenth-century panel attributed to Rogier, technical, stylistic, documentary, and provenance evidence are considerably more important than the presence or absence of a signature.

What documents help authenticate a Rogier van der Weyden 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 Rogier van der Weyden painting be authenticated from photographs?

Yes. High-quality photography is an extremely useful authentication tool and allows us to study composition, paint surface, panel construction, 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 Rogier van der Weyden?

No. Research, provenance investigation, comparative analysis, and technical examination may resolve many questions. In difficult cases, dendrochronology, infrared imaging, examination of underdrawing, pigment analysis, or other scientific methods can provide important evidence concerning a fifteenth-century panel.

What if my Rogier van der Weyden has no provenance?

Incomplete provenance is common with paintings of this age. When provenance is incomplete, authentication relies more heavily on technical examination, archival research, photography, comparative analysis, and, where appropriate, scientific testing.

Do you issue Certificates of Authenticity for Rogier van der Weyden 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 Rogier van der Weyden painting worth?

We will appraise your painting and determine its value. Attribution, subject, date, dimensions, condition, provenance, quality, rarity, workshop involvement, and current market demand are fundamental considerations.

SELLING

Can you sell my Rogier van der Weyden 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 Rogier van der Weyden?

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 Rogier van der Weyden?

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 Rogier van der Weyden?

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 Rogier van der Weyden 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 Rogier van der Weyden?

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 Rogier van der Weyden?

If you value Rogier van der Weyden’s work, certainly. If your primary objective is investment, we can evaluate the proposed acquisition and alternative opportunities.

Can you review a Rogier van der Weyden 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 Rogier van der Weyden?

Three fundamental questions should always be answered: Is it authentic? What is its condition? Is the price reasonable? For Rogier, distinguishing autograph work from workshop, circle, follower, or later copies is particularly important because his compositions were highly influential and repeatedly transmitted.

How can I avoid buying a fake Rogier van der Weyden?

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 ROGIER VAN DER WEYDEN 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 Rogier van der Weyden, 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.