Our latest expert guide explains how to tell if an oil painting is antique and what to look for in a reproduction.
Collecting antique art for the beginner can be exciting and can represent a good investment over time. However, it is important to be able to tell the difference between a true antique and a reproduction and here we tell you what to look out for in antique oil paintings.
Ageing an oil painting is not a precise science and the following are just areas to look at that could give you an idea of authenticity. However, whenever there is any doubt, our advice is always to consult an expert.
Examine the reverse of the canvas
An original canvas will darken with age so a darker canvas could indicate an antique. Do not rule the painting out if the reverse of the canvas is not dark; many antique oil paintings are relined over the course of their life,
A relined canvas
An antique oil painting may have been relined in order to preserve its integrity or for conservation reasons. Relining was prevalent in the 19th century so even if your painting shows signs of being relined, it could be older than the colour of the lining leads you to believe. Close examination of the canvas should show whether there are multiple layers which indicates relining has taken place. If a painting has been relined, previously raised paint will have flattened.
Stretchers and hardware
As with antique furniture, we always suggest looking at the detail of features such as joints and hardware (nails, screws etc.) to help identify age. Oil paintings are no exception. Stretchers are the supports used to maintain the tension on a painting on canvas, and on antique paintings these were made from wood. The condition and appearance of the wood can help to age the painting, as can the presence of hand-turned dowels. Look out also for handmade mails.
Craquelure
Craquelure is the French derived term for the cracks that appear on the surface of an oil painting as the paint ages and shrinks. It is a good indication of age and experts also use it to identify forgeries. Craquelure can be created artificially so always consult an art historian if you have any doubts.
Raised paint
The presence of raised paint, visible to the naked eye when the painting is laying flat and viewed along it surface, is a good indicator of age. Do not dismiss a painting if the paint is flat however as this can merely be a sign of a relined canvas.
Spotting a fake oil painting
Sadly, the world of antique oil paintings is full of forgeries so it pays to know what to look for.
The artist and his signature - If the painting purports to be by a painter whose work is known, does it match the artist’s style? Is there a back story to the painting, for example is it part of a larger series or was it a commission? Signatures, when present, are very telling. Is it in the correct place for the artist and is the format of the signature correct? On a very basic level, has it been misspelled?
Traditional age-tests - Paint is a great giveaway with many forgeries being produced in mediums that were not available at the time of the original work. Layering too is an effective way to age a painting. Antique oil paintings will be multi-layered which can be seen by the naked eye, while forgeries will lack this depth.
Certificate of authenticity - While the addition of such a certificate can be reassuring when buying an antique oil painting, be aware that these, too, can be reproduced fairly easily so always get in touch with the original issuer to confirm the certificate is genuine.
Antique oil paintings for sale at Hemswell Antique Centres
We are fortunate enough to house the collection from many art dealers who are members of BADA, the British Antique Dealers’ Association, and LAPADA, the UK’s largest association of art and antique dealers. This gives you the confidence that your oil painting has been legitimately sourced and verified for authenticity. With hundreds of antique oil paintings for sale online, you will find everything from antique portrait paintings, antique horse paintings, and antique landscape paintings.
