How do You Know if a Painting is a True Vintage?

Vintage paintings tell a story, with each brushstroke worn on the surface of the canvas

Gary Mike Adams
2 min readOct 20, 2021
Photo by Europeana on Unsplash

A painting is an original work of art, not just a reproduction. There are many different types of paintings you can find in the world today — from modern to abstract, landscape to portrait, and more. But how do you know if it’s a true vintage? Here are some tips on identifying them!

The Frame Should Match the Era

The frame of the painting should be simple and old, with no signs of new varnish or paint. If it is shiny, you’re probably looking at a replica. Most commonly, paintings will have wood frames without glossy varnish. You can check for this by holding the frame up to the light and examining it for any signs of wear and tear.

The Signature Should Also Match the Era

The signature on a painting will most commonly be written in one of three ways: with pencil, ink, or paint. If you find multiple paintings with very similar styles and signatures, you may end up with a true vintage!

Going Further for More Information

To find out more about identifying true vintage paintings, search “how to identify true vintage” or something similar to that in your favorite web browser. You should find plenty of information and sources to help you learn more.

An original work of art takes time, skill, creativity, and passion. And vintage paintings are the cream of that crop — they are not mass-produced or cheaply made. Vintage paintings tell a story, with each brushstroke worn on the surface of the canvas. There are many resources to help you identify true vintage paintings — search for “vintage painting identification” or books available through your local library.

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Gary Mike Adams

I am an eclectic writer with many interests and topics that go through my head daily. I am extremely passionate about my craft and always want to push further.