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Certificates of Authenticity
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Message
Posted
I don't recall these being discussed on the forum before and wonder if anyone else has come across them. Up till now I haven't bothered with them since my work, being watercolours, has only been of moderate value. However I am now working on much larger abstract works which carry a higher price tag and I have been asked to provide them. Also I think its a rather nice touch which gives the work a bit of status. I'm used to drafting documentation so that isn't a problem but I just wonder about what should be covered.
The obvious heads that come to mind are: artists name, title of work, medium, size, background (canvas, board etc), plus statement about artists retention of copyright and reproduction rights, artists contact details . Have I covered everything?
Also has anyone any ideas about presentation? - simple statement in letter form? Swanky pretentious certificate?
Posted
I do like the idea of a swanky pretentious certificate! Laminated, perhaps, and laser-printed.... well, honestly, you might as well. If your work is fetching a good price, and you've been asked for a certificate of authentication, you don't just want a scrap of paper with "I did it" scrawled on it..
As it happens, I have never been asked for a certificate, but if I were I would produce a description of the piece, a thumbnail photograph, a date, a note on the medium employed and perhaps even information on future cleaning and varnishing; and obviously I'd keep a file copy, both on paper and digitally.
An alternative approach or an additional one would be to have a relatively simply piece of A5 paper containing a summary of this information (artist, medium, date) to be pasted on the back of your painting - many an old painting has been identified by the dealers stamp or paper stuck the reverse of the frame or backing board. Just be wary of sticking anything made of wood pulp on the back of a canvas, because it can degrade it and show through.
Posted
Thanks Robert - yes I like the idea of incorporating a photo. One problem I'll have to get round is that my usual signature (as on cheques etc) is not decipherable whereas the signature I have adopted for my paintings is a bit more readable - must try to remember to stick to the paintings signature when signing the certificates.
Posted
Most of the Certificates of Authority which appear on the internet seem to address limited editions. Anyway I have now drafted one that meets my own needs: original works which are displayed with a mount and it covers all the key points although it could be used for canvas works and those not behind glass with a bit of tweaking. Think I might start to offer them even where one has not been requested - if nothing else it looks a bit more professional methinks. I note that in many states in the USA they are a mandatory requirement anyway - which makes me wonder as I have sold several works that have gone there.
There's nothing very complicated about it but if anyone wants a copy just send me a PM.
Posted
I've now actually been requested to provide these as they are apparently a legal requirement of US galleries - anyway they've been accepted so must have got it about right and might start to issue them with UK sales to add a bit of professionalism. If anyone is interested in seeing the final certificate I have come up with just let me know.
Posted
A nice little tale I thought I would share with you. I have started to issue these certificates and included one in a commission which I dispatched last week. The painting was wanted as a present for the client's mother and was of a location which had romantic memories for her. On receipt of the painting the client contacted me to say that her mother was delighted with the painting and it was exactly as she remembered it. The gift was given even greater poignancy by the fact that the date I put on the accompanying certificate was the same as the date when she lost her late husband in whose memory the gift was made. I shall certainly continue issueing these with all future sales although I can't see such a lovely coincidence occuring again. .
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