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DJR Expert Guide Series, Vol. 406 — How to Appraise Original Oil Portraits (19th–20th Century)
Original oil portraits from the 19th and 20th centuries span academic, folk, regional, academic revival, impressionist, realist, WPA-era, and modernist styles. Because many portraits were family commissions, unsigned works, school exercises, or studio-produced, their value varies enormously depending on artistic quality, materials, sitter identity, provenance, attribution confidence, and market demand. Proper appraisal requires systematic analysis of technique, period accuracy, condition, and comparable market records.
DJR Expert Guide Series, Vol. 406 — How to Appraise Original Oil Portraits (19th–20th Century) provides the complete professional methodology used by fine-art appraisers, estate evaluators, conservators, and collectors.
Inside, you’ll learn how experts:
Identify stylistic period indicators across 19th–20th century portrait schools
Evaluate canvas, ground layers, stretcher construction, panel types & tacking methods
Analyze brushwork, layering, glazing, underpainting & technical skill level
Examine signatures and monograms for age, pigment consistency & authenticity
Assess sitter importance and its impact on value
Evaluate condition issues including craquelure, overpainting, relining & restoration
Use frames, mounts & gesso profiles to help date works
Detect giclée reproductions, overpainted prints & decorative replica portraits
Apply attribution tiers (attributed to, circle of, school of, follower of, etc.)
Analyze materials for period correctness (pigments, oils, supports)
Conduct artist research across databases, auction records & archival sources
Build accurate comparable-sales groups matched by style, era, size & attribution
Determine appropriate value types: insurance, fair market, retail, auction & charity
Understand when professional evaluation is required for high-value or historically significant portraits
Whether assessing an academic European portrait, a WPA-era realist work, a Victorian family commission, or a modernist studio painting, this guide provides the full expert framework needed to appraise oil portraits accurately and defendably.
Digital Download — PDF • 8 Pages • Instant Access
Original oil portraits from the 19th and 20th centuries span academic, folk, regional, academic revival, impressionist, realist, WPA-era, and modernist styles. Because many portraits were family commissions, unsigned works, school exercises, or studio-produced, their value varies enormously depending on artistic quality, materials, sitter identity, provenance, attribution confidence, and market demand. Proper appraisal requires systematic analysis of technique, period accuracy, condition, and comparable market records.
DJR Expert Guide Series, Vol. 406 — How to Appraise Original Oil Portraits (19th–20th Century) provides the complete professional methodology used by fine-art appraisers, estate evaluators, conservators, and collectors.
Inside, you’ll learn how experts:
Identify stylistic period indicators across 19th–20th century portrait schools
Evaluate canvas, ground layers, stretcher construction, panel types & tacking methods
Analyze brushwork, layering, glazing, underpainting & technical skill level
Examine signatures and monograms for age, pigment consistency & authenticity
Assess sitter importance and its impact on value
Evaluate condition issues including craquelure, overpainting, relining & restoration
Use frames, mounts & gesso profiles to help date works
Detect giclée reproductions, overpainted prints & decorative replica portraits
Apply attribution tiers (attributed to, circle of, school of, follower of, etc.)
Analyze materials for period correctness (pigments, oils, supports)
Conduct artist research across databases, auction records & archival sources
Build accurate comparable-sales groups matched by style, era, size & attribution
Determine appropriate value types: insurance, fair market, retail, auction & charity
Understand when professional evaluation is required for high-value or historically significant portraits
Whether assessing an academic European portrait, a WPA-era realist work, a Victorian family commission, or a modernist studio painting, this guide provides the full expert framework needed to appraise oil portraits accurately and defendably.
Digital Download — PDF • 8 Pages • Instant Access