Protecting Your Art Investment
Introduction
As a collector of fine art, you want to protect your art investments and ensure they continue to appreciate in value. The first step in this process is to prove the art is legitimate and that it is the artist's original work.
Once the authenticity of the artwork has been verified, its value increases. A certificate of authenticity is the most highly regarded and widely accepted method to verify an artwork.
What is a certificate of authenticity?
The main purpose of a certificate of authenticity is to prove that the referenced artwork was created by a certain artist and that it is not a forgery. It contains specific details, including the title of the piece, the artist's name, the date of the artwork, and the technique and medium used. Certificates of authenticity are sometimes issued by galleries and signed by a person who is a qualified authority on an artist’s work, but it’s always better if the certificate is signed by the artist who actually created the artwork.
A certificate of authenticity should always be tied to one specific piece of artwork, and follows it throughout its entire life, from owner to owner. It never expires or needs updating.
In the event of a sale, a certificate of authenticity adds value to an artwork and makes it easier to sell. It also helps collectors trace a piece's history and establish its provenance.
Documentation accompanying original artworks is not replaceable, so it should always be retained with the artwork and safeguarded in a secure location.
But how to know if the certificate itself is genuine?
In order to provide maximum protection against forgeries and unauthorized copies, my original artworks are linked to their corresponding certificate of authenticity via a tamper-proof, serialized holographic security seal. One seal is placed on the certificate and an identical seal with matching serial number is placed on the back of the artwork. In addition, my certificates feature a custom QR code which is digitally linked to my official website.
Original artworks
certificate of authenticity hand-signed by artist
tamper-proof holographic security seal system with matching serial numbers
digital QR code
embedded digital watermark
insurance valuation documentation
Note: Prints and reproductions may be accompanied by a similar certificate of authenticity depending on the type of print and where it was purchased.
