Provenance
Definition:Provenance refers to the recorded history of an artwork’s ownership, exhibition, and publication record. A clear and verifiable provenance enhances trust, market value, and authenticity — and is critical for transactions involving museum acquisitions, estates, and blue-chip artists.
Documentation may include gallery invoices, auction records, exhibition checklists, catalogue raisonnés, or archival photographs. Gaps in provenance can raise red flags, especially in markets where forgery and theft have been concerns.
