Tips for Persons Considering Purchasing Art Works

There are many fraudulent works of art being offered for sale on the Internet. Here are some tips if you are buying art online.

Tips for Purchasing Art on Internet Auction Sites

1. Determine the identity of your seller, and try to contact others who have purchased art work from them.
2. Ask the seller questions you may have about the art work. Be wary of evasive responses.
3. Make inquiries into a work's history of ownership. If in doubt, contact the work's previous owners to evaluate its authenticity.
4. Obtain an image of the artist's signature on the art work and compare that to legitimate signatures from the artist.
5. Obtain from the art merchant computer images of the back of the canvas; they can be used to reveal indications of fakery.
6. Be wary of paintings that are sold at prices far below what the artist's work normally would command.
7. If you have any concerns about authenticity, seek an expert opinion quickly after purchasing the art.

For more helpful information on buying online: http://www.ag.ny.gov/consumer-frauds/buying-online