Research & cataloguing for auction houses

About the specialist

Diederick Poncelin de Raucourt has been active in the Old Master market since 2010. The service draws on practical market experience, TEFAF participation, an international network of scholars and professionals, and ongoing auction analysis through La Sélection.

Historical knowledge and connoisseurship are combined with archival resources and comparative research. Findings and references are reviewed personally.

What is included

Historical and iconographic research; relevant bibliographical references where available; comparisons with documented works and museum collections; analysis of supplied provenance, inscriptions, labels and collector’s marks.

The work’s context is discussed with attribution hypotheses identified as such. The assignment includes a professionally written catalogue text and may provide an independent opinion on likely sale value. The auction house remains responsible for physical examination, final catalogue attributions, descriptions and estimates.

Pricing and timeframe

Standard research and a catalogue entry start at €200 excluding VAT per accepted artwork, subject to the documentation available. Complex investigations, extensive provenance research or additional specialist consultation are quoted individually before work begins.

Indicative turnaround is approximately five working days after acceptance and receipt of a complete dossier, subject to availability. Enquiries are reviewed individually; there is no automatic payment.

How it works

1. Send photographs and the available information, including your sale date or preferred deadline. 2. We review the dossier and confirm acceptance, scope and fee.

3. Research and catalogue drafting are carried out remotely. 4. You receive the completed text and supporting research references by email.

Scope of the service

The standard service supplies art-historical research and catalogue-writing support based on material provided. It does not constitute a certificate of authenticity, a physical condition report, a formal appraisal or appointment as the auction’s designated expert.

Conclusions remain subject to the limitations of remote research. Any formal expert engagement requires a separate agreement.

Publication credit

A research credit may be agreed individually before publication. It should describe the contribution accurately and must not imply formal authentication or an official expert appointment when neither has been agreed.

Submit an artwork

Contact the gallery with the auction house name, contact details, artwork information and deadline. Photographs of the front, reverse, signatures, labels and inscriptions are useful; existing reports and ultraviolet images may also be supplied where available.

Collectors seeking comprehensive scholarly research or acquisition advice are invited to explore Advisory & Expertise.