Vincent van Gogh Artwork Value | Prices, Originals vs Prints, How to Sell

Q: How can I tell if my Van Gogh signature is real?

Van Gogh signed his works 'Vincent' — his first name only — because French speakers had difficulty pronouncing 'Van Gogh.' He typically signed in the lower left, sometimes with a line underneath, and did not sign all of his works. Compare any signature to documented examples from the same period using the De la Faille catalogue raisonné — our artwork valuation guide explains what experts assess beyond the signature.

At-a-glance: Vincent van Gogh

One of the most influential Post-Impressionist painters, Van Gogh created approximately 860 oil paintings and over 1,100 drawings in a career spanning just ten years — making his authenticated works among the rarest and most valuable in the art market.

Bio

Name: Vincent Willem van Gogh
Years Active: 1880–1890
Nationality: Dutch

Style

Post-Impressionism with expressive impasto, vivid color, and swirling directional brushstrokes. Dutch realism in early works (1880–1886), shifting to bold color and emotional intensity during the French period (1886–1890).

What to look for

De la Faille or Hulsker catalogue raisonné inclusion, "Vincent" signature (not "Van Gogh"), distinctive impasto paint application, provenance traceable to Theo van Gogh or Jo van Gogh-Bonger.

What Vincent van Gogh works do people actually own?

Most "Van Gogh" items in private hands aren't Sunflowers or Starry Night paintings — they're museum posters and decorative reproductions. Like Monet, Van Gogh worked almost exclusively in painting and drawing. Unlike prolific printmakers such as Matisse, there is virtually no affordable tier of original Van Gogh works. Understanding whether you have an original or reproduction is the first step in determining value.

Museum reproductions & posters — $5–$200
The most common "Van Gogh" items by far. Museum gift shop posters, vintage exhibition announcements, and mass-produced prints of Starry Night, Sunflowers, and self-portraits. These are photomechanical reproductions with no connection to the artist beyond the image. Collectible as decorative items only.
Van Gogh Museum Relievo editions — $10,000–$35,000
High-end authorized 3D reproductions produced by the Van Gogh Museum in partnership with Fujifilm using Reliefography technology, which replicates brushstroke texture. Limited editions of 260, numbered and certified by a museum curator. Titles include Almond Blossoms and Sunflowers. Originally retailed around $34,000; secondary market prices have softened.
Original graphic works (lithographs & etching) — $50,000–$500,000+
Van Gogh produced only 10 graphic works — 9 lithographs (1882–1885) and 1 etching, the Portrait of Dr. Gachet (1890). The lithographs survive in only 4–8 impressions each and are almost entirely in museum collections. The etching exists in approximately 61 impressions of varying quality. These works rarely appear at auction, but when they do, prices reflect their extraordinary rarity.
Drawings & watercolors — $500,000–$10,000,000+
Van Gogh produced over 1,100 drawings and watercolors across his ten-year career. Authenticated examples documented in the De la Faille catalogue are extremely rare at auction. Prices depend on subject, period, and condition — French period works (1886–1890) command the strongest prices.
Oil paintings — $5,000,000–$117,000,000+
The core of Van Gogh's output — approximately 860 paintings, most now in museum collections. Iconic subjects from the French period (Sunflowers, self-portraits, Arles and Saint-Rémy landscapes) command the highest prices. The auction record is Verger avec cyprès (Orchard with Cypresses) at $117 million (Christie's, 2022).

Virtually all authenticated Van Gogh paintings and drawings are accounted for in museum or known private collections — the chance of an unknown original surfacing is statistically negligible. Upload your piece for a specific assessment based on current market data.

How to verify Vincent van Gogh authenticity

Authentication is critical for Van Gogh — his extreme market value and cultural fame make him one of the most forged artists in history. Before getting a valuation, gather these details:

Catalogue raisonné: The De la Faille catalogue (F numbers, first published 1928) and Jan Hulsker catalogue (JH numbers) together document approximately 860 paintings and over 1,100 drawings — inclusion in either is essential for market acceptance
Signature characteristics: Van Gogh signed mature works "Vincent" (first name only), typically in the lower left, sometimes with a line underneath. Many works are unsigned — he reportedly only signed pieces he considered finished
Scientific analysis: Paint layer analysis, canvas and paper dating, and X-ray imaging are standard — Van Gogh's distinctive impasto technique and directional brushwork provide useful forensic markers
Provenance documentation: Nearly all authentic Van Gogh works are documented in known collections. The strongest provenance traces back to the artist, his brother Theo, or Theo's widow Jo van Gogh-Bonger
Authentication body: The Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam is the recognized authority but only accepts requests through accredited dealers and auction houses — private owners cannot submit directly. The museum rejects approximately 99% of the roughly 500 submissions it receives annually

Upload photos of the front, back, signature, and any documentation for a preliminary assessment.

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Vincent van Gogh artwork FAQs

The Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam is the recognized authority on authentication — but they only accept requests through accredited art dealers and auction houses, not directly from the public. Works are evaluated against the De la Faille and Hulsker catalogues raisonnés, which together document approximately 860 paintings and over 1,100 drawings. For guidance on distinguishing originals from reproductions, see our original vs print artwork guide.

Van Gogh worked almost exclusively in painting and drawing — he produced only 10 graphic works in his entire career and no print editions or multiples. Any "Van Gogh print" is a photomechanical reproduction of a painting, typically worth under $200 regardless of age or framing. An authenticated Van Gogh painting starts at several million dollars. Understanding this distinction is essential before getting a valuation.

The Van Gogh Museum receives roughly 500 authentication requests per year and rejects approximately 99% of them. Authentic Van Gogh works are documented in the De la Faille and Hulsker catalogues raisonnés and are almost entirely accounted for in museum or known private collections. If you believe you have a genuine work, start with a free appraisal — we can help assess whether formal authentication through the Van Gogh Museum is warranted.

Oil paintings from the French period (1886–1890) — particularly Sunflowers, self-portraits, and landscapes from Arles, Saint-Rémy, and Auvers — command the highest prices, with the auction record set by Verger avec cyprès at $117 million (Christie's, 2022). Among Impressionist and Post-Impressionist painters, Van Gogh ranks alongside Monet and Cézanne at the very top of the auction market. Early Dutch period works are less sought after but still reach multi-million dollar levels.

For reproductions and decorative pieces, online marketplaces and local dealers are appropriate — but expect modest returns. For potential original works, contact Sotheby's, Christie's, or Phillips directly — these are blue-chip transactions requiring months of authentication and due diligence. For pieces valued over $1,000, we can help connect you with the right channel — see our selling guide for details.

Van Gogh signed his works "Vincent" — his first name only — because French speakers had difficulty pronouncing "Van Gogh." He typically signed in the lower left, sometimes with a line underneath, and did not sign all of his works. Compare any signature to documented examples from the same period using the De la Faille catalogue raisonné — our artwork valuation guide explains what experts assess beyond the signature.

How to sell Vincent van Gogh artwork

Ready to sell your artwork? Here's the process for Van Gogh pieces at any value level.

1

Get a valuation

Upload photos and we'll assess your piece against the De la Faille and Hulsker catalogues raisonnés, evaluate condition and authenticity indicators, and provide a realistic market assessment within 24–48 hours.

2

Verify authenticity if needed

For any potentially authentic Van Gogh, authentication through the Van Gogh Museum is essential. The museum only accepts requests through accredited dealers and auction houses — we can help connect you with the right intermediary. Budget several months for the review process.

3

Choose the right channel

Under $1K (reproductions): Online marketplaces, local consignment, or decorative dealers.
$10K–$35K (Relievo editions): Specialist dealers, high-end consignment platforms.
$500K+ (original works): Sotheby's, Christie's, or Phillips; private sale through major Post-Impressionist dealers.

4

Prepare documentation

Gather provenance records, purchase receipts, exhibition history, and any catalogue raisonné references. Collectors of Van Gogh often also collect Renoir and other Impressionists, so positioning your piece within this context strengthens buyer interest. Complete documentation accelerates sales and strengthens buyer confidence.

Ready to get a free Vincent van Gogh valuation?

Upload photos of your artwork — front, back, signature, and any documentation — and receive a research-backed estimate with guidance on authenticity, pricing, and selling options.