Provenance/Provenience
From the French word provenir, which means "to come from."
Provenance is the history of ownership of a valued object, such as a work of art. A full provenance provides a documented history that can help prove ownership, assign the work to a known artist, and establish the work of art's authenticity.
Note: In archaeology Provenience, meaning the actual place or findspot of an object, while provenance refers to its modern (post-excavation) history.
Related Book
Provenance: How a Con Man and a Forger Rewrote the History of Modern Art by Call Number: E-Book
Priceless: How I Went Undercover to Rescue the World's Stolen Treasures by Call Number: Central Library Art N8795.5 .W58 W58 2010
World War II Provenance Research
Cultural Heritage & Preservation
- The Archaeological ConservancyThe Archaeological Conservancy, established in 1980, is the only national non-profit organization dedicated to acquiring and preserving the best of our nation's remaining archaeological sites. Based in Albuquerque, New Mexico, the Conservancy also operates regional offices in Mississippi, Maryland, Ohio, and California.
- Archaeological Institute of America (AIA): Site PreservationOverview of the AIA's Site Preservation program, reports, and resources.
- Frick CollectionWorld War II–Era Provenance Research
- ICOM: International Council of MuseumsInformation about ICOM, the museum world's code of ethics, and information about programs and resources.
- ICOMOS: International Council on Monuments and SitesInformation about ICOMOS, programs, publications and resources.
- IFAR: International Foundation for Art Research: Provenance GuideA not-for-profit educational and research organization dedicated to integrity in the visual arts. IFAR offers impartial and authoritative information on authenticity, ownership, theft, and other artistic, legal, and ethical issues concerning art objects.
- National NAGPRAThe Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act is a Federal law passed in 1990. NAGPRA provides a process for museums and Federal agencies to return certain Native American cultural items -- human remains, funerary objects, sacred objects, or objects of cultural patrimony -- to lineal descendants, and culturally affiliated Indian tribes and Native Hawaiian organizations. NAGPRA includes provisions for unclaimed and culturally unidentifiable Native American cultural items, intentional and inadvertent discovery of Native American cultural items on Federal and tribal lands, and penalties for noncompliance and illegal trafficking.
- SAFE: Saving Antiquities for EveryoneNon-profit organization dedicated to preserving cultural heritage worldwide.
- UNESCO: Movable Heritage and MuseumsUse the column menu on the left to navigate to sections on Armed Conflict, Illicit Traffic, Return of Cultural Property, National Legislations, and Museums.
- U.S. Department of State: Cultural Heritage CenterSupports the foreign affairs functions of the U.S. Department of State related to the protection and preservation of cultural heritage.
- U.S. Committee of the Blue ShieldThe U.S. Committee of the Blue Shield is a charitable nonprofit organization committed to the protection of cultural property worldwide during armed conflict.
Related Books
Lost Lives, Lost Art: Jewish Collectors, Nazi Art Theft, and the Quest for Justice by Call Number: Central Library N8795.3 .E85 M8513 2010
The Rape of Europa: The Fate of Europe's Treasures in the Third Reich and the Second World War by Call Number: Central Library N8795.3 .E85 N53 1994
Related Books
- The AAM Guide to Provenance Research byCall Number: Central Library Arts N3999 .Y45 2001
