Art Definitions
TERMS USED IN OUR AUCTION CATALOG DESCRIPTIONS
The following definitions explain the terminology used by Lineage Fine Art when describing works offered for sale.
Artist attributions, signatures, dates, provenance and supporting documentation are presented according to the information available at the time of cataloging. These definitions are intended to help prospective buyers understand the distinctions between authorship, attribution and stylistic association.
All works are offered subject to our published Terms of Sale.
ORIGINAL
An original artwork is a work created as an individual artistic expression rather than a reproduction of another artwork.
An original work may be a painting, drawing, sculpture, photograph, print or other artistic medium. Original prints, including etchings, lithographs and screenprints, may exist in multiple impressions.
The designation Original describes the nature of a work and does not, by itself, establish its authenticity or authorship.
BY / AUTHENTIC
The terms By and Authentic indicate that a work is identified as having been created by the named artist.
Such identification may be supported by documented provenance, exhibition records, published references, recognized expert opinion or other reliable evidence.
The specific supporting information available for an individual work will be identified in its catalog description when applicable.
AUTHENTICATED
The term Authenticated indicates that a work has been examined or evaluated and its authorship confirmed by an identified artist’s estate, recognized scholarly authority, authentication committee or other qualified specialist.
Where applicable, the catalog description will identify the authenticating authority and describe the supporting documentation.
Authentication opinions may differ, and acceptance of an authentication by one authority does not necessarily establish its universal acceptance.
ATTRIBUTED TO
Attributed to indicates that a work is believed to have been created by the named artist, although its authorship has not been conclusively established.
The attribution may be based on stylistic characteristics, technique, materials, signatures, provenance, historical information or other available evidence.
An attribution represents a considered opinion rather than a guarantee of authorship. Further scholarly research or expert examination may support or challenge that attribution.
BEARING THE SIGNATURE OF
Bearing the Signature of indicates that a work displays a signature, inscription or identifying mark associated with the named artist, but that the signature’s authenticity has not been conclusively established.
This designation describes the presence of the signature and does not establish that the work was created or signed by the named artist.
Any available information concerning the signature will be included in the individual catalog description where relevant.
IN THE MANNER OF
In the Manner of describes a work executed in a style resembling that of the named artist.
The work may reflect the artist’s characteristic composition, technique, subject matter or artistic vocabulary. The designation does not imply that the work was created by the named artist or during the artist’s lifetime.
AFTER
After identifies a work based on, copied from or derived from an existing composition by another artist.
Such works may include hand-executed copies, reinterpretations, prints or reproductions. Where known, the medium and method of production will be specified separately.
The designation does not establish the involvement or authorization of the original artist.
SCHOOL OF
School of identifies a work associated stylistically with an artistic school, movement or regional tradition connected to the named artist.
This designation does not establish authorship by the named artist. Where supported by the available evidence, it may indicate that the work was produced during the artist’s period or within the relevant artistic tradition.
FOLLOWER OF
Follower of describes a work executed in the style of the named artist by another artist working under the influence of that artist.
The designation generally suggests a stylistic or historical relationship but does not establish direct instruction, personal association or authorship by the named artist.
CIRCLE OF
Circle of describes a work believed to have been created by an artist closely associated with, or working within the artistic environment of, the named artist.
The designation suggests a closer historical association than a general stylistic resemblance but does not establish authorship by the named artist.
STUDIO OF / WORKSHOP OF
Studio of or Workshop of indicates that a work is believed to have been produced within the studio or workshop of the named artist, potentially by an assistant, pupil or other studio member.
The designation does not necessarily imply that the named artist personally executed or directly participated in creating the work.
SIGNATURES AND INSCRIPTIONS
Signed: Indicates that a work bears a signature believed to have been applied by the named artist. The designation is not, by itself, a guarantee of authenticity.
Inscribed: Indicates that a work contains written text, a dedication, a date or another inscription. Where relevant, the catalog will distinguish an inscription believed to be by the artist from one of uncertain or different authorship.
Signed in the Plate: Indicates that a signature forms part of the printing plate, stone, screen or other printing matrix and appears as part of the printed image rather than as a separately hand-applied signature.
Facsimile Signature: A reproduction of a signature, produced mechanically, photographically or digitally.
Signatures and inscriptions will be described according to their appearance, location and available supporting information. The presence of a signature alone does not establish authorship.
PROVENANCE
Provenance is the documented or reported history of an artwork’s ownership, custody or transfer.
A provenance record may include private collections, galleries, dealers, auction houses, exhibitions, estate records, invoices and other historical documentation.
Documented Provenance: Ownership or custody history supported by records or other verifiable evidence.
Partial Provenance: An ownership history containing one or more gaps or periods for which documentation is unavailable.
Reported Provenance: Ownership or acquisition information supplied by a previous owner, consignor or other source that has not been independently verified.
Provenance information is published according to the documentation and information available at the time of cataloging.
A complete ownership history is not available for every artwork. Gaps in provenance do not, by themselves, establish or disprove authenticity.
CERTIFICATES OF AUTHENTICITY
A Certificate of Authenticity (COA) is a document containing an opinion, declaration or other statement concerning the authorship or authenticity of an artwork.
Certificates may be issued by artists, estates, galleries, dealers, scholars, authentication committees or other parties.
The significance of a certificate depends upon its issuer, the issuer’s qualifications, the documentation provided and its acceptance by relevant authorities.
Where a work is accompanied by a COA, Lineage Fine Art will identify the document and its issuer when this information is available.
The presence of a certificate does not constitute an independent guarantee of authenticity by Lineage Fine Art unless expressly stated otherwise in writing.
LIMITED EDITION
A Limited Edition consists of a specified, finite number of impressions or examples of an artwork.
Limited-edition works are often numbered, although numbering conventions vary by artist, medium and historical period.
For example, an impression marked 25/100 is conventionally identified as impression 25 from an edition of 100.
Common edition markings include:
- A.P. or E.A.: Artist’s Proof or Épreuve d’Artiste.
- P.P.: Printer’s Proof.
- H.C.: Hors Commerce, traditionally an impression designated as not for commercial sale.
- B.A.T.: Bon à Tirer, the approved impression used as a reference for printing an edition.
Artist’s proofs, printer’s proofs and other special impressions may exist in addition to a numbered edition.
Edition markings are described as they appear on the artwork. Their presence alone does not establish authenticity or confirm the size or completeness of an edition.
OPEN EDITION
An Open Edition is an edition for which no predetermined limit on the number of impressions or examples has been established.
Additional examples may be produced, subject to the availability of the original printing materials, production arrangements and applicable rights.
Open-edition works may be signed or unsigned.
REPRODUCTION
A reproduction is a copy of an existing artwork, produced through photographic, mechanical, digital or other reproductive processes.
Reproductions may be produced with or without the original artist’s authorization and may occasionally bear hand-applied signatures or inscriptions.
The presence of a hand-applied signature does not, by itself, transform a reproduction into an original artwork.
Where known, Lineage Fine Art will identify the reproductive medium, edition information and any accompanying documentation.
CATALOGING AND ATTRIBUTION
Lineage Fine Art endeavors to describe all works accurately and to distinguish documented information from qualified opinions concerning authorship, provenance and attribution.
Catalog descriptions reflect the information available at the time of publication and may be revised when additional documentation or research becomes available.
Prospective buyers are encouraged to review all available photographs, documentation and condition information, and to conduct any independent research they consider necessary before bidding.
All property is offered subject to Lineage Fine Art’s published Terms of Sale.