Remote (Virtual) Pre-Purchase Condition Assessments
This service helps clients (both remote and local) identify condition issues, assess prior restoration interventions, understand likely conservation needs, and estimate the costs associated with those treatments without having a conservator visit the painting on-site at the auction house or gallery. This is particularly useful during online auctions or when bidding from elsewhere in the U.S. or abroad, where in-person access is not feasible.
Though virtual assessments cannot include surface testing, solubility testing, microscopy, smell tests, or UV fluorescence examination, they still provide valuable insight into whether a painting’s projected hammer price makes sense for the potential buyer when likely structural and/or cosmetic conservation treatments are considered. Of course, what is considered “reasonable” varies from client to client.
As always, conservators are ethically restricted from making any comments on monetary value, which is the responsibility of a licensed appraiser. Conservation assessments focus solely on the artwork's physical condition and the treatments that may be needed to improve its cosmetic appearance, enhance its readability, preserve the artist’s intent, and/or ensure structural stability.
How It Works
1. Submit the listing link and available photos.
If you do not yet have all required images, feel free to send what you have; I will let you know what to request from the seller or auction house.
2. Provide basic information about the painting.
This includes measurements, medium (as listed), artist name (if known), and any condition notes already provided.
3. I conduct a visual-only assessment based on your materials.
Using the images and listing details, I evaluate visible condition issues, prior restoration, stability, and likely treatment needs.
4. You receive a complete written report.
This includes a summary of visible condition issues, potential risks, expected conservation categories, estimated treatment ranges, and recommendations for next steps.
5. Optional: Schedule a short call to review the findings.
If desired, we can discuss the assessment and your options before you decide whether to bid or purchase.
What You’ll Receive
A written preliminary condition assessment
A detailed description of visible condition issues and prior restorations with explanations as to whether they are cosmetic or structural
Estimated ranges (cost and timeline) for likely conservation treatment
Assessment of shipping and stability risks
Recommendations for next steps
Why a Virtual Assessment Is Useful
Most auction houses prohibit conservators from conducting hands-on procedures like solubility testing, surface cleaning tests, and sometimes UV fluorescence examination on works that have not yet been purchased. As a result, even an on-site pre-sale examination is often limited to the same types of visual-only observations that a virtual review offers.
A virtual review therefore provides a responsible, accessible first step for evaluating whether a painting is stable, high-risk, over-restored, or likely to require significant treatment. Regardless of the painting’s size, hammer price, condition, or provenance, each virtual condition assessment is a flat $250 and includes a full written report.
Requirements for a Virtual Assessment
Required & Recommended Images (Recto & Verso)
Please provide:
Full frontal image, straight-on, in good diffuse light
Side/tacking-edge photos (framed and unframed if possible)
Detail photos of areas of concern
Extreme close-ups of craquelure, tears, abrasions (if possible)
Raking light photos (if possible)
Full image of the reverse, including stretcher or strainer
Detail shots of labels, inscriptions, tacking edges
Photos of the frame, glazing, or backing board (if present)
Required Information
Measurements (dimensions) in the frame
Measurements outside the frame (approximate is fine; sight size is acceptable)
Media (e.g., oil on canvas, mixed media on board, etc.)
Lot number and listing link (if applicable); this includes links from auction houses like Christie’s, Bonhams, Phillips, Sotheby’s, Swann, Artcurial, Poly, etc. as well as less formal sites like eBay, shopGoodwill, LiveAuctioneers, Craigslist, and more. An incredible find is an incredible find; we will not judge the purchase site.
Artist name
Date of creation (if known)
Any known prior conservation treatment
Any provenance or condition notes already provided
Providing this information allows me to:
research common material issues associated with the artist
identify whether any media are known to be unstable
compare the seller’s description to my visual findings
Limitations of This Virtual Service
Because the painting is not examined in person, the evaluation cannot include surface or solvent testing, microscopic examination, UV fluorescence examination, confirmation of varnish type or media, handling, tactile evaluation, or in-person inspection
All conclusions are based solely on the photographs and information provided by the client and the seller. Final condition and treatment cost may differ upon in-person examination.
What to Expect if You Later Work With Us (or Another Conservator)
If a client chooses to pursue conservation treatment after purchase, either with our studio or with another conservator, a more comprehensive in-person examination will be conducted either on-site at your home/gallery/museum or in our studio. This in-person evaluation will include any remaining steps in a condition assessment, typically:
solubility testing
UV fluorescence examination
microscopy
surface examination under magnification
evaluation of varnish behavior
moisture or solvent sensitivity tests
structural assessment of the support and stretcher
direct inspection of the tacking edges, reverse, and frame
possible unframing and removing backing boards
These diagnostic steps allow the conservator to confirm what can only be hypothesized during a virtual assessment.
If You Choose to Work With Us After Purchasing the Painting
If you decide to continue with Central Coast Painting Conservation…
You may ship the painting directly to our studio from the auction house or seller, or
You may bring the painting in person at a later date, or
You may arrange an on-site assessment in your home, gallery, museum, etc. if within driving distance of our Paso Robles or Los Angeles studios.
Once the painting arrives, we will…
Perform the full, in-person examination using all available diagnostic tools.
Confirm or adjust any preliminary observations made during the virtual review.
Provide a formal condition report based on direct evaluation.
Prepare a detailed treatment proposal, including anticipated time and cost.
Discuss treatment options, risks, and expected outcomes so you can make an informed decision.
This ensures that all remaining steps not possible during the virtual assessment are completed thoroughly before any interventive treatment begins.
If You Work With Another Conservator
If you choose to work with a conservator in your own region, that professional will undertake the same type of comprehensive in-person evaluation. Because every conservator has their own diagnostic methods, hourly rate, and treatment approach, their estimate or specific proposal may differ from my preliminary virtual review.
I am always happy to share and discuss my preliminary observations with any conservator outside my service area who may ultimately provide the treatment (with the client’s permission).
What This Virtual Assessment Helps You Determine
This assessment helps clients answer the following questions…
Does it make sense for myself or my institution (gallery, foundation, etc.) to buy or bid on this painting once conservation needs are factored in?
Is the painting enjoyable and stable without any conservation treatment?
What condition issues are present, and are they stable or active?
Are problems cosmetic or structural?
Per the photos, is there evidence of mold, mildew, or water damage?
Are there indications of past damage or improper storage?
Has the painting been previously restored? Is that restoration stable, well-done, or likely to fail?
Could prior interventions complicate future treatment?
What treatments are likely needed?
What might those treatments cost?
How might the painting look after conservation?
Is the painting safe to ship in its current condition?
Should I request more photos before bidding?
Is the artist associated with unstable materials, and if so, can that be mitigated?
What This Assessment Cannot Determine
This assessment does NOT help clients answer the following questions…
Is the painting worth its current bid or estimate and is the appraisal value accurate?
Will conservation help me “fix and flip” the piece for a significant ROI?
Can the varnish definitely be reversed?
Can this painting definitively be attributed to the claimed artist?
What can I do to restore or repair this painting on my own?
*The above questions are better answered by a licensed appraiser or appropriate specialist. Conservators will not guide clients through performing any treatment themselves.
Request a Virtual Condition Assessment
To begin, please email images and lot information (listed below in further detail) or attach them using the contact form below. If you’re unsure whether your photos are sufficient, feel free to send what you have and I will let you know if additional views are needed.
Once I receive your materials, I will confirm availability and outline the next steps. As always, assessments are a flat $250.
Email: elizabeth@centralcoastartconservation.com
Phone: (818) 326-3655 | (805) 728-0650
Locations: Los Angeles & Paso Robles, California
You are welcome (and encouraged) to reach out with questions before committing to any service whatsoever.