I periodically get calls from people asking me if a painting is ‘valuable’. Valuable to whom? Collectors, heirs, scholars and the marketplace all define value differently. A modest art collection of little-known artists may have more personal or historical worth than resale value, but sometimes, over time, that balance shifts.
I understand the competing desires to close an estate quickly vs. carefully. But if Grandma was an art collector, take some time to understand the art market before you send her paintings to the local Goodwill.
Market value
Whether a work has resale value depends on many variables.
- Are the artists known, collected or represented by galleries? Have their works sold at auction? This is easier to research now with the internet.
- Are works by this artist sought in the current market?
- Are the works in good condition, with no fading, tears, mold or yellowing?
- Are the works rare? For example, that means limited edition prints and one-off paintings in contrast to mass-produced prints.
- Can you document the provenance? Do you know where and when the works were acquired, and do you have a record of the sales history? (This is a good reason to slip the invoice in the back of the frame of anything you acquire, by the way.)
- Some mediums, such as oil paintings and bronze sculpture, hold market value better than others.
- What’s the quality of the materials?
- Is there visible damage? If so, has it been restored or repaired, and was the restoration done professionally?
- Is it in its original frame, if applicable?
- Does the subject matter have broad appeal?
Historical value
Even if a work isn’t valuable in financial terms, it might have importance to scholars or local historians.
- Does the art collection represent a particular period, like WPA-era or mid-century modern?
- Was the artist or collection part of an important cultural moment?
- Is it tied to a particular place, and does it tell the story about that place’s history?
- Was the collector notable?
- And, of course, a collection of paintings can have value simply for sentimental reasons. You may not want Grandma’s clown paintings, but your cousins might each love to have one.
How can you tell what you’ve got?
My friend, art conservator Lauren Lewis, is famous in these parts for identifying an NC Wyeth painting that a client bought for $4 at a thrift store. I understand how overwhelming it is to settle a loved one’s estate. But taking a little time might stop you from doing something foolish.
Start by inventorying the art collection. That includes photographs, titles, dimensions, mediums, dates and signatures. Then, research the artists. Start on the internet, and check auction databases, gallery listings, or catalogs.
I can’t emphasize enough how important it is to consult professionals. Conservators, appraisers, gallerists and auction houses are the people to ask, not me or other professional painters. I once found a print by mid-century artist Leonard Baskin in a box full of old newspapers in the attic of a house I’d bought. I took it to an auction house in Boston. They realized more on the sale than I thought possible. And let that be a lesson to you if you’re ever tempted to leave a house less than ‘broom clean.’
Registration is now open for workshops in 2026! Reserve your spot:
- Advanced Plein Air Painting | Rockport, ME, July 13-17, 2026
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- Find your Authentic Voice in Plein Air | Berkshires, MA, August 10-14, 2026
- New! Color Clinic 2026 | Rockport, ME, October 3-4, 2026
- New! Composition Week 2026 | Rockport, ME, October 5-9, 2026
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. When my parents died, most of the family members were too far away, too busy or of the “it’s all junk…just send it to good will” mind set. Since I could, I rented a campsite for a week and spent it in 90+ heat inventorying all the contents of 2 storage rooms piled floor to ceiling with belongings. What we didn’t want was sent to good will, donated to a shelter, or those of value appraised and sold at auction. (The appraiser could easily locate the items of value since I provided numbered boxed, itemized list). More important was art we kept from my parents travels, family mementos, paintings done by my mom that was given to grand kids, 2 special poster size photos- one of each parent as a teen or young adult- that i made copies for all close family, and daguerreotypes ( a type of photo on a silver plate that was available in the mid 1800’s before photos were invented) of early ancestors!
That was a yeoman job, Jennifer!
Important to provide provenance to your collectors, just in case you drop dead next week.
Although I’m not keen on the idea, it’s always a possibility.