The Getty Provenance Index is a comprehensive online database that provides access to archival inventories, sales catalogs, and dealer stock books, offering a rich resource for researching the history of ownership of artworks. This valuable tool is maintained by the Getty Research Institute and serves as a crucial resource for researchers, art historians, and collectors seeking to trace the provenance of works of art.
Key features and capabilities of the Getty Provenance Index:
- Vast database: Contains over 2.2 million records, covering a wide range of artworks and time periods.
- Diverse sources: Includes data from archival inventories, sales catalogs, and dealer stock books, providing a comprehensive view of the art market.
- Search functionality: Allows users to search by various criteria, such as artist, title, auction house, or date.
- Additional databases: Offers supplementary databases focusing on collectors’ files, payments to artists, and public collections, further enriching the research possibilities.
Benefits of using the Getty Provenance Index:
- Tracing provenance: Helps researchers establish the history of ownership of artworks, providing valuable insights into their authenticity and value.
Identifying artists: Can assist in attributing artworks to specific artists or schools.
- Understanding art markets: Offers a glimpse into the dynamics of the art market over time, including trends, prices, and collectors’ preferences.
- Supporting research: Serves as a valuable tool for art historians, scholars, and students conducting research on various aspects of art history.
Overall, the Getty Provenance Index is an indispensable resource for anyone interested in exploring the history of artworks and the art market. Its extensive database, user-friendly interface, and open access make it a valuable tool for researchers, collectors, and enthusiasts alike. Find out more here.
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