Online Painting Valuations

Welcome to iValuations' dedicated Paintings appraisal hub. Our international specialists combine decades of market expertise to provide accurate, certified valuations of your fine art from photographs.

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http://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/188957

The Brook, c. 1895–1900. Paul Cezanne (French, 1839–1906). Oil on fabric; framed: 74.9 x 97.2 x 8.3 cm (29 1/2 x 38 1/4 x 3 1/4 in.); unframed: 59.2 x 81 cm (23 5/16 x 31 7/8 in.). The Cleveland Museum of Art, Bequest of Leonard C. Hanna Jr., 1958.20

Chinese Jar with Lion-Head Handles (青花雙獅頭罐), 1300s, Jiangxi Province, Jingdezhen, Yuan dynasty (1271-1368)

Musical bracket clock by Eardley Norton, circa 1790

Online valuations in over 50 categories of fine art, antiques & collectibles, with dedicated specialists in each field

What is Your Painting Worth?

The global market for fine art paintings is both dynamic and highly nuanced, spanning historical Old Masters, prestigious 19th century examples, and rapidly moving contemporary works. A painting represents a physical manifestation of an artist’s vision, defined by its scale, composition, and unique handling of medium. Because an original painting can serve as a cornerstone of a collection or a highly valuable family heirloom, demand remains consistently resilient among international galleries, private collectors, and institutional buyers seeking exceptional works.

Our dedicated fine art specialists provide rigorous, market reflective valuations for a wide spectrum of painted mediums. We regularly appraise original works executed in oil, acrylic, tempera, and mixed media across diverse substrates including stretched canvas, linen, wood panels, board, and copper. Whether your object is a traditional landscape, a mid-century portrait, or a cutting edge avant-garde abstract composition, our team cross references real time international auction data with deep institutional knowledge to pinpoint its current fair market and insurance value.

Determining the definitive value of a painting requires evaluating complex physical and historical variables. Our experts closely investigate artist attribution, the historical significance of the subject matter, and documented provenance. In addition, we carefully examine structural factors such as the stability of the paint layer (checking for craquelure, flaking, or overpainting), the condition of the support frame or keys, and whether the piece has undergone any conservation such as re-lining. This comprehensive approach ensures you receive an authoritative, certified appraisal report you can trust.

How to Submit Your Painting for Valuation

Upload photos of your item

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Our experts will appraise your item

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1. Take Clear Photographs:

Provide good-resolution, well-lit photos. For this category, we specifically require a clear shot of the entire work, the entire back (if available), and crisp close-ups of any signatures, monograms, maker's marks, or labels.

2. Gather Item Details:

Note down the physical dimensions (height and width, excluding the frame), the medium or materials used, and any known provenance, history, or paperwork.

3. Complete the Online Form:

Click the START VALUATION button for the valuation form, select Art from the dropdown menu, and then fill in the item details, upload your images, fill in your details, and securely submit your request.

4. Receive a Valuation Report:

A professional written PDF valuation report will be emailed to you within 24-48 hours, detailing your item with a written descriptive, a fair market value and an insurance value.

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What Our Specialist Looks For When Valuing Paintings

Artist Attribution: Is it signed, monogrammed, or attributed to a known school or circle?

Medium: Is the painting an oil on canvas, acrylic on board, tempura on panel, etc?

Size: What are the dimensions? Does it have any significant 'wall power' that commands attention and elevates its market value, or is it a smaller, more intimate study?

Condition & Preservation: Are there signs of craquelure, paint loss, tears, dirt overpainting, or other restorative work?

Rarity & Subject Matter: Is the subject highly desirable or typical of a sought-after period in the artist's career?

Provenance: Does the item have an interesting history or backstory?

Frequently Asked Questions About Painting Valuations

How can I tell if my painting is an original oil or a printed reproduction on canvas?

Answer: To distinguish an original painting from a print on canvas, examine the surface at an angle under a strong light and use a magnifying glass. An original oil or other paint medium will show distinct, three-dimensional brushstrokes, texture variations, and paint layers that rise above the surface. Printed canvas reproductions often look dull and flat under magnification, and are composed of microscopic, uniform patterns of ink dots. Additionally, original paintings typically lack perfect mechanical consistency and may show natural irregularities or minor cracking (craquelure) upon close inspection.

Should I clean the surface of the painting or remove it from its frame before taking photos?

Answer: Please do not attempt to clean the painting or remove it from its frame. Historic paint layers can be incredibly brittle, and using household cleaners, cloths, or water can cause irreversible chemical or physical damage that severely impacts its value. For your submission, simply leave the artwork as it is. Take clear photographs of the entire front (including the frame), the complete back (where crucial gallery labels or canvas stamps often live), and close-ups of any signatures or inscriptions.

How do cracks, flaking paint, or old repairs affect a painting's valuation?

Answer: Condition is critical when appraising paintings, but its impact on value depends entirely on the artwork's rarity and historical importance. While extensive paint flaking, tears, or yellowed varnish can lower the market value of a minor work, an incredibly rare piece by a highly collected master can still command substantial figures despite condition issues. Furthermore, professional historic restoration, such as canvas re-lining or careful overpainting, is common for older artworks and is factored into our evaluation to give you an accurate, market reflective appraisal.

Ready to Discover the Value of your Painting?

Expert written valuations with pricing tailored to the size of your collection.

In addition to purchasing a single valuation we also offer a system of allowing you to buy valuations in batches. This affords you a discounted rate, meaning the more valuations you buy the less you pay for an individual valuation.

After purchasing a valuation pack you will be emailed a code with which you can redeem your valuations at your convenience.

For more information on how iValuations works, please see our FAQ page.