A painting’s provenance is a record of its previous owners. Other works of art, such as textiles, sculptures, and so on, are also referred to as “provenance.” Provenance is becoming more important in the art world as museums, galleries, and collectors seek to avoid handling stolen art and ensure that their collections are authentic. Provenance research can take weeks, months, or even years, and it necessitates a unique set of skills.
Researching a work of art’s provenance serves several purposes. Confirming that the work of art is what it claims to be is an important function. When people look into a painting’s provenance, they want to make sure that the painting was made the person who is associated with it. They can look for forgery signs in the painting as well as the painting’s ownership history. Tipoffs can include “restoration” records that could have been used to hide forging activities, or long periods of time when the painting was undocumented, making it difficult to tell if the painting in question is the original.
Provenance is also a valuable source of cultural and historical data. The history of ownership of paintings that are hundreds of years old can be an important part of understanding the painting and learning more about its cultural role. Ownership histories can reveal information about who was interested in the painting, why, and when, as well as the rise and fall of family and national fortunes.
The issue of looted art is a major source of concern in the art world. A work of art can fetch a much higher price if it can be proven that it is legally owned and has never been illegally moved or transferred. Many works of art made their way to the United States from Europe during the Nazi era in the 1930s and 1940s, providing a classic example of the problems with looted art. Some of these works of art were legitimately sold and transferred, but others were not, and art historians must sift through their records to determine whether or not paintings are legally owned.
When a work of art’s provenance is established, a certificate is attached to it. A painting with a certified provenance is more likely to be accepted for sale at auction or in a gallery, and the certificate can increase the value of the painting significantly, especially if it was prepared a renowned art historian. With rising concerns about forgeries and looted art, some unscrupulous dealers have resorted to falsifying paperwork to make paintings appear legitimate in the eyes of collectors, museums, and other buyers, further complicating the task of determining provenance.