How do I find out how much art is worth?

To find out how much art is worth, you need a qualified appraiser to research the artist, medium, condition, and provenance, then compare the piece against recent sales of similar works to establish a documented fair market value.

Casual research can give you a rough sense of value: check the artist's signature and any edition markings, photograph the front and back of the piece, and note its medium and dimensions. Comparing these details to recent auction results for similar works by the same artist can point you in the right direction. But this kind of research only gets you an estimate. Condition issues (fading, past restoration, relining), provenance gaps, and authenticity questions can shift value significantly, and spotting those factors accurately takes trained eyes.

For a value you can actually rely on, whether for insurance, an estate filing, a donation deduction, or a sale, a written appraisal is the right tool. A professional fine art appraisal documents the artist, medium, condition, and provenance alongside comparable sales data, and is prepared in accordance with USPAP so the conclusion holds up to scrutiny from an insurer, the IRS, or a probate court.

What to Have Ready Before Requesting a Value

• Clear photos of the piece, including the front, back, and any signatures or inscriptions
• The artist's name, medium, and dimensions
• Any provenance documents, gallery labels, or a prior appraisal, if you have them
• The purpose of the appraisal (insurance, estate, donation, divorce, or sale), since the intended use shapes how the report is prepared

If you're working from Kentucky, our appraisers can review this information to scope your project. It also helps to know what not to say to an appraiser, since requests meant to influence the value can undermine the report's credibility. See our FAQ page for more on turnaround and what to expect from the process.