How do auction houses authenticate artwork?

Before an artwork is put up for auction, it goes through an authentication process — this confirms that the artwork is not a forgery and can be accurately attributed to a particular artist or maker.

If you are looking to auction an item at Christie’s, you can request a complimentary estimate from Christie’s specialists. If your item is chosen for sale, the authentication process that follows can include a mixture of scientific analysis, examination by experts and research into the previous ownership of the artwork.

Below are the key steps in how to authenticate art:

Research the provenance of the work

Art authentication starts with looking at the history of ownership of the artwork. This can be shown through documents such as exhibition and auction catalogues, receipts of previous sales, and certificates of authenticity signed by the artist or an expert in the field. Christie’s has the largest auction archive in the world to aid with research, with catalogues dating back to our very first sale in 1766.

If you are putting a painting up for auction, strong documentation that establishes the chain of ownership can help support this process of authentication.

Visual examination by experts

At Christie’s, our auctions span more than 80 art and luxury categories and there are in-house specialists that can consult on particular artists, periods or movements.

Through a visual examination, the expert assesses that the style and technique are consistent with the relevant artist and will look for areas such as an artist’s signature.

A Catalogue Raisonné may be available for the artist, which lists all their known works in a particular medium — this can be consulted by the expert as part of the authentication process.

Technical analysis

Scientific techniques can be used to check the physical and chemical makeup of an artwork to ensure it matches an artist’s known style. This may involve using infrared reflectography and X-rays to look at any underdrawings or alterations to a painting, or using the technique of tree ring dating to confirm the age of the wood panels in a work.

In summary

The final authentication decision considers provenance, visual inspection, scientific analysis and expert opinion. This authentication process also helps with valuing an artwork, before it is catalogued and proceeds to auction.

If you’re looking to sell an item, Christie’s specialists are here to guide you every step of the way. Get started today by requesting a complimentary auction estimate.