Free artwork value estimate
How much is my painting worth?
Upload a photo and get a free value estimate in about a minute. Find out whether it's a print or an original, what the signature says and what it would realistically sell for.
Get your free estimate
How it works
Take three photos
The whole front in daylight, a close-up of the signature, and the back with any labels or stamps.
Upload and add what you know
A name on the back, the size, where it came from. Every detail makes the estimate sharper.
Get your estimate
A realistic value range, whether it's likely a print or an original, what the signature says, and what to do next.
What makes a painting valuable?
Two paintings of the same size and subject can differ in value by a factor of a thousand. These are the factors appraisers look at first:
- Original or reproduction. Most framed pictures in homes are prints. A print of a famous painting is usually worth little; an original by a known artist can be worth a lot.
- The artist. A documented auction record for the artist is the strongest anchor for a value. Unknown artists sell mainly on decorative appeal.
- Medium and support. Oil on canvas generally brings more than watercolor or gouache on paper by the same artist; works on paper are more sensitive to light and damage.
- Condition. Tears, flaking paint, heavy overpainting, water stains and foxing reduce value, sometimes sharply.
- Provenance. Gallery labels, exhibition stickers, old invoices and a documented ownership history add confidence and value.
- Subject, size and quality. Within an artist's work, some subjects and periods are more sought after than others.
Not sure if yours is an original? Read how to tell if a painting is an original or a print.
Frequently asked questions
Is the estimate really free?
Yes. You can upload photos and get an estimate without an account or payment. If you want a formal, written appraisal, we can connect you with a qualified appraiser, who charges their own fee.
How accurate is an estimate from a photo?
It gives you a realistic ballpark and tells you whether it's worth taking the next step. Photos can't show everything: paint texture, the back of the canvas, condition up close and provenance all matter. That's why every estimate comes with a confidence level and a range, not a single number.
Which photos should I upload?
One straight-on photo of the whole front in daylight without flash, one close-up of the signature or any marks, and one of the back (labels, stamps, stretcher and canvas). Three good photos beat ten blurry ones.
Can you tell if my painting is an original or a print?
Often, yes. The estimate looks for signs of printing such as dot patterns, a flat surface without brushstrokes and printed canvas texture. A close-up photo taken at an angle helps a lot. Our guide explains how to check it yourself.
Can you authenticate a painting by a famous artist?
No. Nobody can authenticate an artwork from photos. If the estimate suggests a possible attribution to a known artist, the next step is an expert or the artist's foundation or catalogue raisonné committee, and a formal appraisal.
What happens to my photos?
They are sent securely to our AI provider (Anthropic) to produce the estimate. We don't publish them and don't keep them on our servers. Details are in our privacy policy.
What kind of value do you estimate?
Fair market value: the price the piece would likely bring when sold today at auction or through a dealer. Insurance replacement values are usually higher, and retail asking prices are often much higher than what sellers actually receive.
Does it work for prints, drawings, sculptures and photographs?
Yes. Paintings are the most common, but you can upload any artwork or decorative art object. For sculptures and ceramics, add a photo of the base or underside, where marks usually are.