Certificate of authenticity
Verifying the authenticity of a work of art, antique or collectible item is a fundamental step if you intend to sell or purchase an asset. The presence of a certificate of authenticity is undoubtedly a guarantee of protection because it is a fundamental document that certifies the originality and provenance of an asset.
Authenticity of a work of art
When discussing authenticity, it is important to distinguish between contemporary and post-war art, and ancient art (old masters) and modern art (up to the early 20th century).
As regards contemporary and post-war art, the work of most artists is protected by archives and foundations that are recognised as having the right to issue certificates of authenticity, manage image rights and publish general catalogues.
For ancient and modern art, the situation is different. The work carried out by foundations for contemporary art has no equivalent in previous eras, and there is often a lack of reliable documentation on the authorship of the works. In order to certify this, it would be advisable for them to be well preserved, published in important studies, and exhibited in high-quality exhibitions and galleries. Otherwise, there is a risk that they may be downgraded, i.e. considered copies, school or mannerist works. Therefore, It is essential to consult qualified professionals who are able to support an attribution with seriousness and rigour, even with the support of expert art historians.
What is a certificate of authenticity?
Spesso definito come il “passaporto” di un’opera d’arte, il certificato di autenticità deve contenere tutte le informazioni che riguardano il bene. To be complete, therefore, it should include:
- Photographic reproduction of the work
- Author’s name
- Title
- Technique used
- Year of completion
- Dimensions
- Number of copies
- Any notes such as publications, exhibitions and provenance
- Signature and stamp of the body that certified the authenticity of the work and document filing code
Authenticating a work of art: support services
It is not necessarily the case that those who own a valuable work or object are aware of all this information. As an expert appraiser , I can offer you advice and support in reconstructing the documented history of your property and accompany you through the authentication process..
In particular, I can take care of:
This is a cross-disciplinary research task that may include checks in catalogues raisonnés, exhibitions and displays, collections, auction listings, etc.
For post-war and contemporary artworks, I take care of preparing the necessary documentation, interacting with those who hold the moral rights to the work, and submitting the request for inclusion to the archive commission.
A certificate of authenticity is a certification of the authorship of a work, which is generally confirmed by the artist himself or his family members with a signature on a photographic reproduction. Today, this type of document is considered less credible than in the past, but I can help you verify the authenticity of the document.
Why is a certificate of authenticity useful?
The certificate of authenticity is an essential document for the sale of contemporary and post-war artworks and also protects the purchaser, but it can also be extremely important for works from earlier periods because it increases their value. Furthermore, it can be useful for insurance, to determine the value to be covered in the event of theft or damage; donations and inheritances,to reduce potential disputes between heirs or beneficiaries and simplify the transfer of ownership; investiments, to guarantee the value of a work in the long term; exhibitions, reviews and displays where public approval contributes to raising awareness of the artwork.
Contact me
Do you own an asset and want to understand how to enhance its value by checking whether it meets the requirements for inclusion in the archive, or by seeking the expertise of an expert scholar or researching its history? Contact me without obligation and we will evaluate the best option together.