Found a painting at an estate sale or in Grandma's hallway and wondering what it is? Whether it's an oil, an acrylic or a print makes a big difference, both in value and in how to care for it. Here's how to tell.
Step One: Is It Even a Painting?
Many "paintings" are actually prints. Some even have brushstrokes added on top to look real. Check these first:
- Look with a magnifier: printed images are made of tiny dots in a regular pattern. Real paint has no dots.
- Tilt it in the light: real paint has raised texture and brushstrokes that catch the light. A print is flat, or has texture that doesn't follow the image.
- Check the edges: on canvas, real paint often wraps unevenly around the edges, and you may see bare canvas or pencil sketch lines.
- Look at the back: paint sometimes soaks through or shows on the back of a canvas; a print on paper or board won't.
Oil Paint: The Clues
- Rich, glossy depth with colors that blend softly into each other.
- Thick texture in places (called impasto), where the paint holds sharp brushstroke peaks.
- Fine cracking (craquelure) in a spiderweb pattern, common on older oils.
- Yellowed varnish that gives older oils a warm, golden cast.
- A distinct smell on newer oils, from linseed oil.
- Oil paintings date back centuries, so very old works are almost always oil.
Acrylic Paint: The Clues
- Acrylics became widely available in the 1950s and '60s, so a painting that looks older is unlikely to be acrylic.
- Bright, even, slightly flat or plastic-looking colors with a matte to satin sheen.
- Crisp edges, since acrylic dries quickly and doesn't blend as softly.
- Texture that feels rubbery or plastic rather than hard.
- Little or no cracking or yellowing.
Other Clues to Age
- The back: older canvases are often a darker, aged color, held by wooden keys in the stretcher corners, and with old nails or tacks rather than staples.
- Labels and stamps: gallery labels, framer's stickers, art supply stamps and handwritten notes can help date a piece.
- Signatures: look in the corners and on the back. A signature painted in the same paint is a good sign; a signature that looks printed means it's likely a print.
- Frames: original period frames add charm and can hint at age.
Mid-Century Paintings
Mid-century originals, from abstract modern works to cheerful landscapes and street scenes, are very popular right now. Many talented but unknown artists painted for galleries, decorators and department stores, and these pieces can still be very collectible for their style alone.
When to Get an Expert Opinion
If a painting has a recognizable signature, gallery labels, or seems especially old or fine, consult an appraiser or a reputable auction house before selling or cleaning it.
Caring for Vintage Paintings
- Dust gently with a soft, dry brush; never use water, cleaners or household wipes.
- Keep paintings out of direct sunlight and away from heat and humidity.
- Leave cleaning and repairs on valuable paintings to a professional conservator.
Browse our vintage home decor collection, and read our guide to reverse painted silhouette pictures.
See it in person: vintage paintings and wall art in the shop
Each one is a single piece, so when it's gone, it's gone.
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