We were cleaning out my grandmothers house last month, And we found a painting that looks old. Is there anyway of finding out if it could be worth something? I am saying keep it but my parents are saying toss it or sell it at a yard sale for a couple of bucks. If you know anything on what to do, Please help!
2007-06-19 15:36:19 · 4 answers · asked by tburke_25 2 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Visual Arts ➔ Painting
If you like it... Keep it... Art is in the eye of the beholder...
If you want money.. Then have it valued.
Believe it or not. A self portrait of Renoir was in the trash.. Ambrose Vollard pulled it out and kept it. It now resides in a museum...
2007-06-19 23:16:26 · answer #1 · answered by Renoirs_Dream 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, so if you like the painting, then just keep it.
Having said that, there are a couple of things you can do to figure out whether the painting has any monetary value.
The simplest thing to do is to have it appraised by a reputable dealer. This is rarely a free service however, so doing a little homework first would be a good idea.
Even if you don't know very much about painting or art, there are a couple of things to look at that can help you decide if the painting is worth even having appraised.
If the painting is figurative (of something or someone) is it well composed? How has the artist used elements like color and brush work to compose the image. If it's a watercoulour, how are the coulors blended, how fine are the brush strokes or elements in the painting. How compelling is the image overall?
Is the painting signed, and by who? Is there information on the back of the painting.
The internet has zillions of resources to help you become an art sleuth (at least a rank amateur if nothing else) Mostly, just have fun and then decide if you think it ought to be appraised.
Remember as well...old doesn't always mean valuable!
2007-06-20 11:05:19 · answer #2 · answered by MyDogAtticus 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I wouldn't toss it or sell it until I found out what it was worth. Look up the artist, check out the frame, you never know. You're on here asking..... a little research may go a long way. :)
2007-06-19 22:46:40 · answer #3 · answered by Bernadette C 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Keep it until you have time to find a professional to evaluate it for you. If you ive in a large city, there should be professional appraisers in your city.
If you live in a large city, call the Museum in your city and ask if they have an appraiser who can evaluate your painting, or, refer you to an aprraiser.
2007-06-19 22:41:51 · answer #4 · answered by newyorkgal71 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋