Guide
How to tell if street art is real
Few fields have as many fakes as street art. Simple images, huge demand and online marketplaces make it easy for fakers. These checks catch most of them.
1. Is there a certificate – from the right source?
For Banksy, only Pest Control counts. For living artists, the certificate should come from the artist's studio or the publisher. A certificate issued by an unknown seller adds little.
2. Check signature and number
Compare the pencil signature with verified examples and check that the edition number fits the known edition size. A number higher than the edition, or an edition that does not exist, is a clear warning sign.
3. Look at the print
Screenprints have solid, slightly raised layers of ink with crisp edges. Under a magnifier, a digital or offset copy shows a dot pattern or a flat, uniform surface.
4. Check the paper and size
Many editions were printed on a specific paper in a specific size. Measure the sheet and compare it with the published details for the edition.
5. Follow the history
An invoice from a gallery, the official web shop or a major auction house is strong evidence. «Bought at a market», «from a friend of the artist» or «removed from a wall» without documents is not.
6. Too good to be true?
An «original» by a famous name at a bargain price is almost always a copy. Be especially careful with online listings that show only one small photo.
Unsure? Upload photos of the front, the signature and the certificate for a free estimate.
Frequently asked questions
Can a Banksy be authenticated without Pest Control?
No. Auction houses and serious dealers only accept Pest Control certificates for Banksy works.
Can I sell a piece removed from a wall?
It is legally complicated: the wall belongs to the owner of the building, and many artists refuse to authenticate street pieces that were removed.
Are certificates from galleries enough?
It depends on the artist. For living artists, documentation from the studio, the publisher or the gallery that sold the work is standard; for Banksy it is not enough.
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