Why Every Artist Should Record His Art History

My immediate question when I see a work of art is invariably, “What is its history?”

Take, for example, the famous painting by Edgar Degas. At first glance, this is a set of white tutus and bright bows. But upon closer inspection, none of the ballerinas are actually looking at each other. Each of them is a glamorous sculpture, curled up in a detached artificial pose. What once seemed like an innocently beautiful scene becomes an example of the psychological isolation that haunted Paris in the late nineteenth century.

Now, not every piece of art is a commentary on society, but every piece tells a story, no matter how subtle or abstract. A work of art is much more than its aesthetic attributes. It is a portal into the lives of artists and their unique experience.

Art critics, art dealers and art collectors strive to delve into the reasons for every creative decision, to discover the stories that intertwine with every stroke of an artist's brush or movement of a ceramist's hand. While the aesthetic appeals to the viewer, the story is often the reason why people fall in love with a piece.

So what if you don't write down your work and its history? Here are a few points to consider.

I love you miss you Jackie Hughes. 

your evolution

In a recent interview, she said: “I have been painting for 25 years and I don't know what happened to most of my art. I would like to have an accurate account of what I have done in my life."

echoed these sentiments during a conversation about art career advice: "I don't know where most of my paintings are or who they belong to."

Both artists regretted not using the art inventory system earlier and recorded their work from the beginning.

Jane said: “I really kick myself for not cataloging my work from the start. I am very sorry that all these parts are lost. You need to keep records of your life's work."

She noted that no one starts out as a professional artist and you should record your work even if you think you are creating art just for fun.

It also makes planning your retrospective much easier as you will have all the images and details of your pieces in your art inventory software.

golden moment Linda Schweitzer. .

The value of your art

According to , "A solid and documented provenance enhances the value and desirability of a work of art." Christine also notes that "Failure to keep a careful record of this relevant information can result in a work being undervalued, left unsold, or lost with no promise of restoration."

I spoke with the distinguished curator and executive director Gene Stern, and he stressed that artists should at least record the date of the piece, the title, the location where it was made, and any personal thoughts they have about the piece.

Jean also noted that additional information about the work of art and its author can help its artistic and monetary value.

On the rocks in Tofino Terrill Welch. .

Perspectives on your art

Jane said: “Some of the galleries I work for want to show off the awards that certain works have won. Whenever I give my galleries this information, they get excited."

She also mentioned Jean, where Jean says "Do your best now to make life easier for an art critic in the future and you will be rewarded."

If you have history details, awards received, and copies of publications, you will be more attractive to curators and gallery owners who want to put on a compelling exhibition or showcase work with a rich history.

Provenance is paramount, as is, according to Jean, a legible signature. So, make sure people can clearly see who created your artwork and know the story it tells.

Splendor anguish Cynthia Ligueros. .

your legacy

Every artist, from Holbein to Hockney, leaves a legacy behind. The quality of this heritage depends on you. While not every artist aspires to or achieves fame, your work deserves to be remembered and recorded. Even if it's just for your enjoyment, family members or local art critic in the future.

In my family there are several old paintings inherited from our ancestors, and we have no information about them. The signature is illegible, there are no documents of provenance, art consultants are baffled. Whoever painted these beautiful pastoral landscapes of the English countryside has gone down in history, and their story has gone with them. To me, as someone with a degree in art history, this is heartbreaking.

Jean emphasized: “Artists should attach as much as possible to the painting, even if the artist will never become valuable or famous. Art must be recorded."

Ready to start writing your art history?

While it may seem like a daunting task to start cataloging your artwork, it's worth it. And if you enlist the help of a studio assistant, family member or close friend, the work will go much faster.

Using art inventory software allows you to catalog information about your artwork, record sales, track provenance, create reports on your work, and access details anywhere.

You can start today and keep your art history.