What is a Provenance and why do I need one?

Hi
I have attempted to insure my painting as a separate item and the insurance company has asked me to provide a provenance. What is a provenance and where do I get one?
Thanks
David



Jill's answer

Hi David

A provenance certificate or statement is handy if you are insuring or re-selling a painting (eg at auction or privately). It is just a history of the work – ie who painted it, who has owned it over the years - and would probably include receipts of purchase and other supportive material.

Sometimes it will list where the painting has been exhibited and possibly provide extra information about its particular story, which might make it more valuable (ie if it were selected for a prestigious exhibition at, say, the Gallery of NSW) or in an artist’s retrospective exhibition or a travelling show. It is also a guard against forgeries (though what’s to stop someone forging a certificate I have no idea!).

In the case of your painting I imagine that the artist (or his/her agent) would have issued you with a receipt and the artist would have signed the painting. That should really be sufficient proof of ownership and authenticity. (It would also be a good idea to include a photograph and description, including frame, for your insurers).

Should your insurers require additional information about your painting I suggest that you contact the gallery where you purchased it and ask for a simple statement of your transaction. If you purchased it direct from the artist he or she should supply a similar statement.

For insurance purposes you may wish to check the current value of your painting. Sometimes that will be more than you paid for it or less (sorry, you don't want to hear that!). Check recent auctions to see selling prices of comparable works by the same artist but also consider replacement costs (ask your gallery or the artist). Then I guess you will weigh up the cost of insurance premiums against that information.

When we had our gallery, Port Douglas Gallery of Fine Art, in addition to a receipt, we would issue purchasers with a certificate which described the size and medium of the work, as well as its title. Also, as a caution to the new owner, a clause that copyright laws applied to the work was included, and the client was provided with a copy of the artist’s CV. I think we also noted whether freight and freight insurance were required. That was also useful for our own records.

If the painting subsequently changed hands several times, those transactions could have been added to the information that we provided, thus adding up to a solid 'provenance' for the painting.

I hope that helps you - and will satisfy your insurer!

Thanks for asking the question ; I hope the answer will also be of interest to others.

Jill