Glossary Term
Provenance
The documented history of an artwork: who created it, when, with what materials, and its ownership chain from creation to present.
Also known as: chain of custody, documentation
Provenance is the chain of custody and documentation for an artwork. Useful records may include:
Artist identity and verification status Date of creation Medium and materials Dimensions Prior exhibition or publication history Ownership transfers Invoices, photographs, condition notes, and written agreements
The available record varies by artwork. BuyHumanArt.com's planned certificate and QR provenance system is not active in Phase 1. Buyers should ask which documents exist for the specific work instead of treating a profile badge as a complete ownership history.
A documented record can support identification, due diligence, insurance, care, and future transfer. It does not guarantee authenticity, resale value, or future demand.
The available record varies by artwork. BuyHumanArt.com's planned certificate and QR provenance system is not active in Phase 1. Buyers should ask which documents exist for the specific work instead of treating a profile badge as a complete ownership history.
A documented record can support identification, due diligence, insurance, care, and future transfer. It does not guarantee authenticity, resale value, or future demand.