How much is an Armin Hansen painting worth?

There is no single figure. Hansen worked in oil, watercolor and etching, at sizes from small boards to large canvases, and on subjects from storms at sea to ranch scenes, so values vary widely. We don't quote numbers without seeing photographs and measurements.

Is the evaluation free?

Yes. Steven Stern Fine Arts evaluates Armin Hansen paintings free of charge, in confidence and with no obligation to sell.

Are Hansen's etchings of interest?

Yes. Hansen was an accomplished etcher of boats and fishermen. Send a photo of the whole sheet, the signature and any edition number, with the size.

How can I tell whether it is an original?

Hansen's images have been reproduced in prints and books. A raking-light photograph of the surface usually shows brushwork or paper texture; send it with your other photos and we will help you judge.

Valuation guide

Armin Hansen painting value: what matters

The value of an Armin Hansen depends on what it shows, how large it is, what it is painted on, when it was made and what condition it is in. Below are the points a specialist considers. We don't publish prices: without seeing the painting, any number would be a guess.

Subject

Hansen's reputation rests on the sea: fishermen hauling nets, crews at the helm, trawlers and purse seiners in rough water, and the boats and wharf of Monterey. Pictures in which figures and boats are the drama tend to draw the most interest. His landscapes, farm and ranch scenes and quieter harbor views form a separate group. Works the gallery has handled include Men of the Sea, The Helmsmen and Drydock.

Medium and size

Hansen painted major canvases, smaller oils on board, watercolors and many etchings; each is judged against its own kind. Measure the image or sheet itself, not the frame or mat, and note whether it is on canvas, board or paper.

Period

An inscription, date, place name or label helps place a work: his European North Sea years before 1912, the early Monterey years of the later 1910s and 1920s, and the bolder, more intensely lit pictures of the 1930s and after.

Condition

For oils, look for flaking, tears, relining, overpaint and darkened varnish; Hansen's boards can also show warping or edge losses. For works on paper, fading, foxing, mat burn and water stains. Leave any treatment to a conservator, after advice.

Labels and provenance

Gallery and exhibition labels, inscriptions on the back, letters, receipts and family history can all strengthen a Hansen's story. Photograph the whole back before anything is removed.

Authenticity

Works by students and followers, and reproductions, do circulate under Hansen's name. Signature, technique, materials and documented history are all considered; a dealer experienced with Early California painting can quickly say whether a picture merits closer study.

Next steps

Steven Stern Fine Arts assesses each painting individually. To start, send photos through the seller inquiry or call (310) 570-5679. You can also see the Hansen paintings the gallery has handled.

Questions owners ask

How much is an Armin Hansen painting worth?: There is no single figure. Hansen worked in oil, watercolor and etching, at sizes from small boards to large canvases, and on subjects from storms at sea to ranch scenes, so values vary widely. We don't quote numbers without seeing photographs and measurements.
Is the evaluation free?: Yes. Steven Stern Fine Arts evaluates Armin Hansen paintings free of charge, in confidence and with no obligation to sell.
Are Hansen's etchings of interest?: Yes. Hansen was an accomplished etcher of boats and fishermen. Send a photo of the whole sheet, the signature and any edition number, with the size.
How can I tell whether it is an original?: Hansen's images have been reproduced in prints and books. A raking-light photograph of the surface usually shows brushwork or paper texture; send it with your other photos and we will help you judge.