Knowing whether a painting is real or fake starts with careful observation. Experts look at details like the artist’s signature, brushwork, materials used, and the condition of the canvas or paper. These elements often reveal clues about the painting’s age and authenticity. Another key step is checking the history of the artwork, known as provenance. Documents, previous ownership records, gallery labels, or auction details can strongly support authenticity. When available, these records help trace where the painting came from and who owned it before. For certainty, a professional evaluation is the best option. Art experts may use stylistic analysis or scientific methods, such as pigment testing, to confirm whether a painting is genuine or not.

Knowing whether a painting is real or fake starts with careful observation. Experts look at details like the artist’s signature, brushwork, materials used, and the condition of the canvas or paper. These elements often reveal clues about the painting’s age and authenticity. Another key step is checking the history of the artwork, known as provenance. Documents, previous ownership records, gallery labels, or auction details can strongly support authenticity. When available, these records help trace where the painting came from and who owned it before. For certainty, a professional evaluation is the best option. Art experts may use stylistic analysis or scientific methods, such as pigment testing, to confirm whether a painting is genuine or not.