Six Indications That Your Artwork Might be Worth $1000+

How to Identify Valuable Artwork

Have you ever wondered if that painting hanging in your hallway or tucked away in your attic might be worth something significant? Here are six key indicators that your artwork might be more valuable than you think.

1. A Notable Artist

When you find out who the artist is, do some digging. The more notable the artist, the more likely your artwork will be worth more money. Look for signatures, markings, or any provenance documentation that might help identify the creator of your piece.

2. The Condition Of The Artwork

As with any antique or collector's item, you have to start by looking at the condition. When it comes to paintings, their condition is incredibly important to their overall value. Carefully inspect your painting for any cracking, tears, surface stains, or damage. Wear gloves in case it requires close inspection. Nothing could be worse than damaging your painting while inspecting!

3. The Subject

Subject matter plays a big role in the value of the art. Think about some of the most well-known paintings in the world, Da Vinci's Mona Lisa, Edward Hopper's Nighthawks, Georgia O'Keeffe's Flower paintings. Does your artwork have people in it or is it abstract? Perhaps it is a landscape painting or a seascape. Or is it a portrait of a famous person? If the artist is well known for painting similar paintings to yours that could be a sign that the painting has value.

4. The Medium Used

While it's not a blanket rule and depends on the artist, works typically painted with oils on canvas or board are going to have more value than those on paper or prints such as lithographs or screen prints. That being said, there are many valuable and important works of art created in mediums of various types including but not limited to; sculpture, mixed media, photography, fine art prints, and digital art.

5. The Painting's Frame

We talked about the condition of the painting itself and now we need to talk about the frame. Some paintings are framed with a richly carved and gilded frame, while others look like something you might pick up at your local craft store. The frame could've been hand-made by the artist, if so then that will also contribute to the value of the artwork.

The rule of thumb is for the frame to match the time period of the painting. An original frame can go a long way in driving up the value.

6. The Size Of The Painting

"Bigger is always better" might be true when it comes to a hamburger and has some truth in the art world. Size contributes to something people in the industry refer to as "wall power". Basically, does the painting surprise you? Does it draw you in? Do people stop and look at it when they enter the room? Size can play a big role in this "wall power".

Getting a Professional Appraisal

If you suspect your artwork might be valuable based on these indicators, consider getting a professional appraisal. At Burgess Estate Sales, we have expertise in evaluating artwork and can help determine if your pieces are worth $1000 or more. Contact us for a consultation about your art collection.