ARTIST, Value & Authentication Resources
Museum curators and library staff are not able to appraise, authenticate, or positively identify works of art.
ARTIST IDENTIFICATION
Artcyclopedia
This site includes hundreds of artist names, primarily from America and Europe. The list allows you to browse names alphabetically.
artnet.com
Online marketplace where art dealers and buyers can buy, sell, and research fine art. Site includes information on artists and their work.
Full access to data is available in library reading rooms; images are not available via library’s version.
AskART.com
Provides biographical and bibliographical information on American artists through a search feature.
Full access is available in library reading rooms.
Bert Christensen's Alphabetical List of Artists
Building since 1999, Bert Christensen has compiled a list that includes the very famous to the very obscure.
Getty Union List of Artist Names
Part of the Getty vocabulary databases, the list is composed of approximately 127,000 records. Each record contains biographical and bibliographical information.
VALUE & AUTHENTICATION IDENTIFICATION
The Getty Research Institute's Appraisal Research Guide
This site answers the question: "How do I find information about the value and authenticity of a work of art, book, map, or collectible?" It's a one‐stop shop.
Appraisers Association of America
The oldest not-for-profit professional association of personal property appraisers. Its objective is to develop and promote standards of excellence in the profession through education and professional ethics.
Art Dealers Association of America
The ADAA is a nonprofit membership organization of the nation's leading galleries in the fine arts. Founded in 1962, the ADAA seeks to promote the highest standards of connoisseurship, scholarship, and ethical practice within the profession.
Art Experts
Art Experts is a global network of professional researchers and analysts, offering the full gamut of fine art related services. The organization is accredited by the USPAP Appraisal Association and the Appraisers Association of America.
icollector.com
Makes information on current and past auctions available to the public. Auction items can be browsed by category. Registration on the site is free and necessary to bid in any of the advertised auctions.
invaluable
Invaluable (formerly Artfact) is the world’s largest online auction marketplace of fine and decorative arts, antiques, collectibles, and estate sales.
International Society of Appraisers
The ISA is a nonprofit, member-driven association. Its members include many of the country's most respected independent appraisers, consultants, estate liquidators, auctioneers, gallery owners, and dealers.
The National Antique & Art Dealers Association of America
The NAADAA is a nonprofit trade association of America's leading antique and art dealers, pledged to safeguard the interests of those who buy, sell, or collect antiques and works of art.
Sotheby’s
Sotheby’s is one of the world's preeminent fine art auctioneers, in business since 1744. Auction information, past and present, is available. Visitors to the site can set up their own mySothebys membership account to participate in bidding.
Christie’s
Founded in 1766, the auction house Christie’s conducted auctions and private sales totaling $5.1 billion in 2008. Information is available on past, present, and future auctions. Joining Christie’s allows you to track lots, view condition reports, place bids, and more.
Bonhams
A house of experts in many fields, Bonhams specializes in the appraisal and sale of fine art, antiques and decorative objects in virtually every auction category. Information is available on past, present and future auctions. Bonhams hosts "auction appraisal events" throughout the United States.