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What to do with inherited paintings

Paintings carry family history as well as value, so the decision is rarely only financial. Whatever you decide, the first move is the same: find out what you have before anything changes.

Do these first

  • Photograph the front, the signature and the back
  • Look for labels, stamps and handwriting on the back
  • Keep the original frame
  • Store the painting upright, away from heat, damp and direct sun

Avoid these

  • Cleaning, varnishing or ‘freshening up’ the surface
  • Removing the painting from its frame or backing
  • Giving it away or donating it before it has been looked at

Keep, sell or donate?

  • Keep: if it matters to the family, you can still have its auction value on record
  • Sell: if it has a market, auction is transparent and the price is public
  • Donate: some museums and charities accept art, but a gift may need a formal appraisal, so ask first

If you decide to sell

Send photos for a free auction estimate. If the estimate suits you, you sign a consignment agreement that fixes the commission, fees and reserve before the painting is offered.

This page is general information about selling art, not legal or tax advice. Rules differ by state and by estate, so check anything involving ownership, taxes or court approval with the estate’s attorney or accountant.

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How selling at auction works

  1. Send photos for a free estimate. A photo of the front, plus the signature, the back and any labels if you can. Add the size and anything you know about where the work came from.
  2. Get an auction estimate. A specialist compares the work with recorded auction results and replies with an estimate range: what the work could reasonably bring at auction, not a guarantee or a formal appraisal.
  3. Agree terms and a reserve. If you decide to sell, you sign a consignment agreement that sets the commission, any fees and the reserve (the confidential minimum price below which the work will not sell).
  4. Ship or hand over the work. The work goes to the house for inspection, cataloguing and photography. Condition and authorship are checked before it is offered.
  5. The sale. The work is offered in a scheduled sale, online or in the room. Buyers pay a buyer’s premium on top of the hammer price; that is the buyer’s cost, not yours.
  6. Get paid. After the buyer pays, the house settles with you: the hammer price minus the seller’s commission and any agreed fees.

Typical timeline

  • Estimate: usually a few days after you send photos.
  • Consignment to sale: commonly 6–12 weeks, because houses build sales around themes and seasons and need time to catalogue and market each lot.
  • Payment: usually about 30–35 days after the sale, once the buyer has paid.

What selling costs

  • Seller’s commission: a percentage of the hammer price. At many houses it falls roughly between 10% and 25%, often lower for higher-value works, and it is frequently negotiable.
  • Possible fees: some houses charge for photography, insurance, shipping or an unsold-lot fee. Ask which apply before you sign.
  • Buyer’s premium: paid by the buyer on top of the hammer price. Prices in our results include it where the house publishes it.

Questions

Should I clean an inherited painting?

No. Amateur cleaning can permanently damage a painting and remove clues that help identify it.

What if I cannot read the signature?

Send photos of the signature and the back anyway. A specialist can often identify the artist or tell you that the painting is decorative.

Can I sell one painting and keep the others?

Yes. You decide which works to sell and which to keep.

More for estates, heirs and collectors

Seller guides

How to sell art at auctionWhat’s my art worth?Sell a paintingSell a printSell a sculptureSelling inherited art and estatesHow to photograph art for an estimateAppraisal vs. auction estimateWhere to sell artArt appraisal for insuranceHow to sell a painting you inheritedIs my print worth anything?What is my painting worth?Is my painting valuable?Original or print?How to read a signatureAuction vs. gallery vs. onlineSell your collection (10+ works)I inherited artwork: how to sell itSelling an estate art collectionHow to sell a large art collectionSpeak with a specialist about your collection