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Certificate of Authenticity for an Artwork: What to Check

A certificate of authenticity helps identify an artwork and connect it to its artist, title, technique, dimensions and provenance. Keep it with the invoice and other purchase records.

What is a certificate of authenticity?

A certificate of authenticity is a document that identifies an artwork and confirms the information supplied by the seller or artist. Its exact format varies, but it should correspond clearly to the work being sold.

Check the artist, title, date, technique, dimensions, signature, edition or uniqueness when applicable, seller information and date of issue.

What should the certificate include?

A useful certificate should contain enough information to distinguish the artwork from another work. The certificate and artwork description should match before payment.

Artist name
Artwork title
Technique and support
Dimensions
Creation date or period when available
Signature or identification information
Seller or gallery information

Certificate and signature

The certificate supports the artwork record, while the signature links the work to the artist’s authorship. Neither should be checked in isolation when the purchase is important.

Read how to understand an artwork signature and what an artwork is.

How to keep the certificate

Keep the certificate in a dry, safe place and store a digital copy with the invoice. Do not attach it permanently to the artwork or expose it to humidity and sunlight.

These documents can support insurance, future resale and identification. Read how to insure an artwork and how to resell an artwork.

Frequently asked questions

These answers cover the practical questions readers ask before buying, checking or caring for an artwork. Continue through the related pages for more detail.

Does every artwork have a certificate of authenticity?

The applicable documentation depends on the artwork and seller. Ask what document accompanies the purchase before paying.

Is a certificate enough to prove authenticity?

It is an important record, but authenticity can also depend on the artist, provenance, signature, seller and expert assessment.

Should I keep the certificate after selling an artwork?

Yes. Transfer or provide the applicable documents according to the sale terms, and keep copies of your records.

The certificate is part of the artwork record

A certificate of authenticity should correspond clearly to the artwork being sold. Check the artist name, title, technique, dimensions, date or period when available, signature information and seller details.

The certificate should be read together with the artwork, invoice, provenance and signature. It is an important document, but no single document should replace a coherent set of information for a significant purchase.

Store the certificate in a dry, safe place and keep a digital copy with the invoice. These records can help with insurance, preservation and future resale.

Artwork documentation

Buy with clear artwork documentation

Buying or discovering art is also a way to support artists and bring an original perspective into an everyday space.

Explore unique and certified artworks or continue through the related guides below.

Carré d’artistes

Buy with clear artwork documentation

Discover unique certified artworks and their documentation. Founded in 2001, Carré d’artistes represents more than 500 artists and follows a fair-price policy designed to reward artists fairly while keeping art accessible.

Explore the artworks