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Provenance

Every artwork has a history. Give it a future.

Every artwork carries the story of its creation, the people who cared for it, and the places it has travelled. Artcestry keeps that story connected to the work.

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A work's history should never have to start over.

What is provenance?

Provenance is the documented history of an artwork.

It records who made it, who has owned it, and where it has been shown.

But these records are often scattered, incomplete, or hard to trace.

Artcestry brings them together into one continuous history.

An artwork's journey, connected

  1. Johannes Vermeer, The Art of Painting: a painter at his easel in a studio
    Johannes Vermeer The Art of Painting c. 1666

    Studio

    Begin with the artist

    Artists register their work and create its first record.

  2. Samuel F. B. Morse, Gallery of the Louvre: a salon wall hung with paintings and visitors copying them
    Samuel F. B. Morse Gallery of the Louvre 1831 to 33

    Exhibition

    Record the journey

    Exhibitions, loans, and sales stay connected to the artwork.

  3. Antoine Watteau, L'Enseigne de Gersaint (detail): a painting being packed into a crate in an art dealer's shop
    Antoine Watteau L'Enseigne de Gersaint (detail) 1720

    Transfer

    Carry the history forward

    When a work changes hands, its history goes with it.

  4. Hubert Robert, Design for the Grande Galerie of the Louvre: a long skylit gallery lined with paintings
    Hubert Robert Design for the Grande Galerie 1796

    Continuing

    Preserve what comes next

    New events add to the record without erasing the past.

What Artcestry helps you preserve

  1. Artwork identity

    Title, creator, medium, dimensions, and edition in one record.

  2. Ownership and custody history

    Who owned it, and who held it, over time.

  3. Exhibitions and significant events

    Exhibitions, loans, conservation, and other milestones.

  4. Supporting documentation

    History linked to the documents that prove it.

  5. Certificates and attestations

    Each claim tied to the person who issued it.

  6. Corrections and record continuity

    Fix errors without erasing history.

Provenance is a shared responsibility

Artists, collectors, galleries, and institutions each hold part of the record. Artcestry brings it together.

  • Artists

    Create the first record of your work.

  • Collectors

    Keep your collection's history, and pass it on.

  • Galleries

    Record exhibitions and sales between artist and owner.

  • Institutions

    Document loans, custody, and collection history.

A clearer record. A more connected history.

Preserving art means preserving its story.

Start with the artwork. Build its history. Keep it connected.

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Rembrandt van Rijn · The Night Watch, 1642

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    New artists and artworks from every region, picked for members.

  • Connect

    Share your experiences with art and hear from members worldwide.

  • Early access

    Be first to use the Artcestry provenance app when it launches.

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  1. Discover

    New artists and artworks from every region, picked for members.

  2. Connect

    Share your experiences with art and hear from members worldwide.

  3. Early access

    Be first to use the Artcestry provenance app when it launches.