• Museum Photo Archives and the History of the Art Market: A Digital Approach

    Author(s):
    Lukas Fuchsgruber (see profile)
    Date:
    2019
    Group(s):
    Digital Art History, Digital Humanists, History of Art
    Subject(s):
    Art, Markets, Museums, Archives, Forgery
    Item Type:
    Article
    Tag(s):
    Verband von Museums-Beamten zur Abwehr von Fälschungen und unlauterem Geschäftsgebahren, Association of Museum Officials for Defense against Fakes and Improper Business Practices, Art market, Fakes/forgeries
    Permanent URL:
    http://dx.doi.org/10.17613/knpq-0n46
    Abstract:
    Digital images with metadata contain unique potential for research into the history of the art market. The embedding of digital images in a database allows for the possibility of an association with their historical context due to the presence of metadata, which includes economic data, such as the provenance chain, as well as information about collecting practices. The database becomes a historical reconstruction of context accompanying the reproductions of the works. In this paper, a case study of a museum photo archive of forgeries illustrates the ways in which digital methods can be helpful in analyzing these contexts. The archive was run by the secret “Verband von Museums-Beamten zur Abwehr von Fälschungen und unlauterem Geschäftsgebahren” (Association of Museum Officials for Defense against Fakes and Improper Business Practices). This archive allows the engagement of early 20th century museums in the art market to be traced within specific genres. The goal of the case study and methodology presented here is to learn more about the economic practices of museums. Specifically, this paper reconsiders a study by Timothy Wilson on fake maiolica, with a new focus on the involvement of museums in the art market.
    Metadata:
    xml
    Published as:
    Journal article     Show details
    Pub. DOI:
    https://doi.org/10.3390/arts8030093
    Publisher:
    MDPI AG
    Pub. Date:
    2019-7-18
    Journal:
    Arts
    Volume:
    8
    Issue:
    3
    ISSN:
    2076-0752
    Status:
    Published
    Last Updated:
    4 years ago
    License:
    All Rights Reserved

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