Featured Unframed watercolour of a seated nun signed Orpen 1927 - 46cm x 35cm

You should contact both Sotheby's and Christie's. Both have sold a substantial number of Orpen's work. They probably have someone on staff that is familiar with his style and signature, or they may know of specialists who can authenticate it.

https://www.artsy.net/artist/sir-william-orpen/auction-results

 

Thankyou for your help and suggestions, I'll let you know how I get on.

 

Yes, please do.

Debora

 

I would try https://www.npg.org.uk/research/. Museums and such 99% of the time will not authenticate a valuable painting. That being said they often will give you names of people who do. If you can locate a catalogue raisonne of his works that would be a start. Next find committees that authenticate William Orphen works. Lots of outside sources make claims that they authenticate, be aware that some of these fail to identify fakes. Not to mention the amount of money they charge. Foundations and committees usually charge less money for their service. If your plan is to sell this painting it would be worth the time and money. Nice painting by the way.

 

Hi Richard, Thankyou for suggesting NPG, I have been there and what a wonderful place it is. I will definitely try that route together with getting in touch with Philip Mould (Fake or fortune TV program) and before that, contacting Rupert Maas Gallery who have had a bit to do with Orpen in the past. I'm glad you like the painting, my wife and I started collecting about 10 years ago and without consciously noticing I think you get slowly better at finding something decent without having to break the bank but we do enjoy the searching

 

I've been researching and found that Orpen's Daughter lived in Shaftesbury until her death in 2008, this is the town where the auction house is, adds a little more to the story! I contacted Rupert Maas Gallery today so I await his response, this was before I made that discovery just a few minutes ago.

 

That is great information! I hope you get a response from the gallery soon.