How to Appraise Art Yourself (What You Can and Can’t Do Without an Expert)

How to Appraise Art Yourself (What You Can and Can’t Do Without an Expert)

Not ready to spend money on a professional art appraisal? That’s fair. Sometimes curiosity, caution, or context calls for a do-it-yourself valuation first.

But here’s the truth: while you can do some early legwork yourself—like researching artists, checking auction sites, or comparing similar works—there’s a hard ceiling on what DIY can reveal. That ceiling is the line between curiosity and credibility.

This guide will walk you through what you can do yourself (and do well), and what you must turn over to a professional if you’re serious about selling, insuring, or protecting your artwork.

Prefer to skip the guesswork? Start with MoMAA’s €50 professional appraisal.

What You CAN Do Yourself (Smart First Steps)

1. Search for the Artist

Use sites like Artnet, MutualArt, or even Google Images to see if the artist has auction results, gallery representation, or mention in exhibitions or media. Make sure you’re comparing the right artist—not just a similar name.

2. Check Signature and Date

Zoom in on the artwork’s signature. Is it readable? Does it match verified examples? Look for location or date cues. These help in identifying periods of production, style evolution, or potential forgeries.

3. Compare Similar Artworks

Search for similar styles, sizes, or mediums online. Sites like:

• Artsy
• LiveAuctioneers
• Saatchi Art
• 1stDibs
• Catawiki

can offer a ballpark market range—if you control for condition, size, and artist stature.

4. Assess Basic Condition

Check for cracks, fading, mold, tears, and repairs. Note how the work is framed or mounted. Store this in writing with clear photos.

5. Document Provenance (If Known)

Who owned it before you? Where was it purchased? Was it inherited or donated? Even casual information helps if passed to an expert later.

See: The Cost of Not Knowing—Why Guessing Can Hurt You

What You CANNOT Do Without an Expert

Here’s where self-research stops and serious credibility begins:

❌ Assigning True Market Value

Online price comparisons can be misleading. Real market value depends on condition, provenance, timing, and buyer demand. Only professionals track current and past sales across global markets.

❌ Authenticating the Artwork

Even if the signature looks right, only trained experts can confirm authorship. Authentication may require forensic analysis, provenance tracing, or artist foundation approval.

Confused about the difference? Read: Appraisal vs Authentication

❌ Creating a Legally Recognized Report

For insurance, estates, or legal use, only certified appraisal reports carry weight. DIY notes are useful, but not accepted.

❌ Calculating Impact of Condition or Restoration

Small issues—like discoloration or touch-ups—can drastically affect price. Only a trained eye can quantify that impact.

❌ Accounting for Symbolic or Narrative Value

Cultural nuance, symbolism, or market trends aren’t found on price charts. This is where MoMAA’s contextual expertisemakes the biggest difference—especially for African, diasporic, or modern narratives.

When to Shift from DIY to Professional

DIY is fine if:

• You’re curious about a piece you’re not ready to sell
• You’re researching family art with no immediate use case
• You want to understand an artist or style in general

You need a professional appraisal if:

• You plan to sell, insure, or donate the piece
• The value could exceed €500
• You want legal documentation
• You suspect the artist has market presence

MoMAA offers professional appraisals starting at €50—clear, fast, confidential

Why Most People Overestimate Their DIY Capability

The biggest DIY mistake? Thinking a few Google searches are equivalent to a professional appraisal.

Even seasoned collectors fall into traps like:

• Confusing decorative value with collectible value
• Using outdated or inflated auction results
• Ignoring medium-specific depreciation
• Not understanding how market context changes pricing

A €50 appraisal can prevent a €5,000 mistake. Or reveal a €15,000 sleeper hit.

Read: Free vs Paid Art Appraisals—Which One Actually Tells the Truth

Yes, you can—and should—start appraising your artwork yourself. But only to a point.

Self-research gives you confidence. It filters the obvious from the uncertain. But when it comes to actual market value, resale readiness, or legal clarity—there’s no substitute for professional appraisal.

So start smart. Get curious. But get real before you take action.

Submit your artwork now to get a professional, narrative-rich, expert-reviewed valuation from MoMAA.

FAQs:

1. Can I appraise my own art? You can research and assess it informally, but professional appraisal is required for accuracy and documentation.
2. What tools can I use to research art value? Use Artnet, MutualArt, LiveAuctioneers, Saatchi, 1stDibs—but carefully control for medium, date, and condition.
3. When is DIY not enough? When you need to sell, insure, gift, or legally document the artwork.
4. How accurate are free online appraisal tools? They’re often shallow and algorithm-based—useful for curiosity, dangerous for real decisions.
5. Do I need authentication to get an appraisal? No. In fact, you should appraise first to decide if authentication is worth pursuing.
6. Can I use my own appraisal notes for insurance or sale? No. Only professional reports with credentials are legally accepted.
7. What if I disagree with an expert appraisal? You can seek a second opinion—but only from another qualified appraiser, not a forum or subreddit.
8. What does MoMAA’s appraisal include that I can’t do myself? Market insight, cultural context, condition impact, legal usability, and symbolic narrative—all from real experts.