Valuation guide

Joseph Henry Sharp painting value: what matters

Sharp worked for nearly seventy years and in many media, so values for his work vary widely. These are the questions a specialist asks when looking at a Sharp. We don't publish price lists, because a figure without the painting in front of us would be a guess.

Subject and sitter

Sharp is best known for his Native American subjects: portraits of identified Crow, Cheyenne, Sioux and Taos Pueblo sitters, and scenes of camp and ceremonial life, including the firelit teepee scenes from the Crow Reservation. Multi-figure compositions and portraits of well-known individuals are generally the most sought after. His Taos landscapes and flower paintings have a growing following of their own.

Medium and scale

Oils on canvas and board usually rank above works on paper, though Sharp's pastels, watercolors and monotypes are collected too. Scale counts: a large, finished figure painting is a different object from a small portrait head painted from life. Measure the image area, and note the support (canvas, board, paper).

Where and when it was painted

Paintings from Crow Agency and the northern Plains (roughly 1899 to the 1910s) and from Sharp's Taos years each have their own collectors. A date, or a place written on the painting, helps place a work in his career.

Condition

Look for flaking, tears, old patches or relining, heavy retouching, and darkened varnish. Paintings that hung for generations near fireplaces or in sunlight often have discolored surfaces that a conservator can address. Leave that to a professional, and only after you have had advice.

Inscriptions and provenance

A sitter's name, a tribe, a place or a date on the reverse can add real interest, as can labels from dealers, exhibitions, the Taos Society of Artists, or family records tracing the painting back to the artist. Keep the painting's paperwork together and photograph everything on the back.

Authenticity

Sharp's popularity means copies, prints and misattributions turn up. Signature, technique, materials and documented history all play a part. A dealer who regularly handles Western American paintings can tell you quickly whether a work deserves closer study.

Appraisal and next steps

Steven Stern Fine Arts evaluates each painting individually on authorship, period, subject, condition, provenance, exhibition history, literature and importance. To begin, send photos through the seller inquiry or call (310) 570-5679. You can also compare with Sharp paintings the gallery has sold.

Questions owners ask

How much is a Joseph Henry Sharp painting worth?

It depends on the painting. Sharp's work ranges from small sketches and works on paper to major figure paintings, and their values differ accordingly. The gallery can give an informed view once it has seen photographs and the dimensions.

Can Steven Stern Fine Arts appraise my Sharp?

The gallery offers confidential evaluations and lists fine art appraisals among its services. Let us know whether you need a valuation to sell, or a formal appraisal for insurance, estate or donation purposes.

The back of my painting has handwriting on it. Does that matter?

Yes. Inscriptions naming the sitter, tribe, place or date can be important evidence. Photograph them clearly and don't remove or cover them.

Is it a painting or a print?

Sharp made etchings and monotypes as well as paintings, and reproductions of his work also exist. Photograph the surface at an angle and look closely; we can help you tell the difference.