Art forgers and art counterfeits have been around for as long as art has existed. There have always been “fake” works in the art market, which cannot be identified by laymen.
But whoever owns, sells, or especially wants to buy, needs to be sure of the authenticity of the artworks. Because only an original has the right value. A counterfeit, on the other hand, has no market value.
ART VON WERT therefore provides certainty through accurate verification and tailor-made assessment. With experience, highly specialized experts and scientific analysis, we determine whether a work of art is authentic.
We offer the following options for secure authentication:
- Examination based on stylistic aspects
- Review of an artist’s catalogue raisonné
- Provenance research
- Assessment by the respective recognized expert for the artist
- Examination of material and technique (individually specific, i.e. UV light, stereomicroscopy, chemical pigment analysis, X-ray examination, infrared reflectography)
Authentication packages
We have combined the most frequently requested methods for the authentication of artworks into efficient and exactly fitting packages, which provide the answers for most authenticity questions.
Package 1
- Examination by our experts, based on stylistic aspects
- Review of an artist’s catalogue raisonné for an entry concerning the artwork and report by our art historians
- If the artwork is not listed, we will research the relevant expert for you
- Where appropriate, an expertise may be obtained after consultation.
Package 2
- Examination by our experts, based on stylistic aspects
- Review of an artist’s catalogue raisonné for an entry concerning the artwork and report by our art historians
- If the artwork is not listed, we will research the relevant expert for you
- Where appropriate, an expertise may be obtained after consultation
- Evaluation of the appropriate scientific method of investigation, followed by consultation and recommendation
- Scientific examination undertaken by an authorized laboratory
Every artwork is unique.
We therefore also offer completely individual solutions. Feel free to contact us!
Is it authentic? Or how to make sure in the art trade?
Forgeries and forgers came into being with the advent of the art market. Since it is a lucrative business model, there will always be counterfeiting. At the same time, art is becoming ever more expensive. Therefore, independent authentication is becoming more and more important, especially because some “art experts” and auction houses have left justified doubts for (self-serving!) financial interests (e.g. the Beltracchi affair or the latest forgery scandals in the US).
A re-thinking is occurring now, which means that increasingly technological investigations and experienced (independent!) assessments are required for sales of art.