How much is a Walter Ufer painting worth?

There is no single figure. Ufer painted at many sizes and on subjects from early European landscapes to Taos figure pieces, so values vary a great deal. The gallery can give an informed opinion after seeing photographs and measurements.

Can Steven Stern Fine Arts appraise my Ufer?

Yes. The appraisal is free and confidential. Tell us whether you are thinking of selling or need a formal appraisal for insurance, an estate or a donation.

Is an early, pre-Taos Ufer of interest?

Yes. The gallery's recorded Ufer sale is an early oil dated 1913. Send photos, the size and anything written on the back.

How can I tell whether it is an original?

Ufer's images have been reproduced. A raking-light photograph of the surface usually shows brushwork; we can help you judge.

Valuation guide

Walter Ufer painting value: what matters

Ufer's career ran from lithography and study in Germany to Chicago and then Taos, so the value of a given work depends on many things. Below are the points a specialist considers. We don't publish prices: without seeing the painting, any number would be a guess.

Subject

Ufer's reputation rests on his Taos subjects: Pueblo men and women at work, riders and travellers crossing the open country, and figures set against adobe walls and mountains in strong sunlight. New Mexico landscapes form another group. His earlier European and Chicago landscapes and portraits, such as the gallery's recorded sale One October Evening of 1913, appeal to a different audience.

Size and support

Ufer worked from small panels to large exhibition canvases. Size, support and finish are judged together. Measure the image itself, not the frame.

Period

An inscription, date or label helps fix when a work was made: training in Germany in the 1890s, Chicago from about 1900, Munich from 1911, his first trip to New Mexico in 1914, and Taos, where he settled in 1917. The paintings of the late 1910s and 1920s, when his work won national prizes, are the core of his reputation.

Condition

Check for flaking, tears, relining, overpaint and darkened or yellowed varnish. Leave any treatment to a conservator, after advice.

Labels and provenance

Exhibition labels, such as those of the Taos Society of Artists' traveling exhibitions, the National Academy of Design or the Carnegie Institute, gallery labels, inscriptions on the stretcher and family records can all strengthen an Ufer's history. Many of his early Taos paintings were bought by Chicago patrons, so a Chicago family history is worth mentioning. Photograph the whole back.

Authenticity

Reproductions and misattributed works do circulate. Signature, technique, materials and documented history are all considered, and a dealer experienced with Taos painting can quickly say whether a picture merits closer study.

Appraisal and next steps

Steven Stern Fine Arts assesses each painting individually on authorship, period, subject, condition, provenance, exhibition history, literature and importance, and the appraisal is free. To start, send photos through the seller inquiry or call (310) 570-5679. You can also see the Ufer painting the gallery has sold.

Questions owners ask

How much is a Walter Ufer painting worth?: There is no single figure. Ufer painted at many sizes and on subjects from early European landscapes to Taos figure pieces, so values vary a great deal. The gallery can give an informed opinion after seeing photographs and measurements.
Can Steven Stern Fine Arts appraise my Ufer?: Yes. The appraisal is free and confidential. Tell us whether you are thinking of selling or need a formal appraisal for insurance, an estate or a donation.
Is an early, pre-Taos Ufer of interest?: Yes. The gallery's recorded Ufer sale is an early oil dated 1913. Send photos, the size and anything written on the back.
How can I tell whether it is an original?: Ufer's images have been reproduced. A raking-light photograph of the surface usually shows brushwork; we can help you judge.