Why should every artist issue a certificate of authenticity?
How a certificate of authenticity strengthens buyer confidence, what it should contain and what its limits are.
Contents
It is common practice in the art world for creators to provide a certificate of authenticity with every work they sell. Let's look at why it matters so much and how it strengthens the buyer's confidence in your work.
For many artists, the art market can be bewildering: marketing and running a profitable practice are often unfamiliar territory. Yet there are elements every art business should include to project a professional image, and one of the most valuable is the certificate of authenticity.
Why your works need a certificate
This document is vital to protecting your integrity as a creator. Every work should come with its certificate of authenticity, which assures the buyer of your professionalism, the quality of your work and the soundness of their purchase. It also strengthens your clients' trust and helps you stand out in a competitive market.
For artists, buyers and collectors alike, certificates are crucial for protecting the value and authenticity of works, and they serve as a defence against art fraud.
What exactly is a certificate of authenticity?
Essentially, it is a professional proof of sale that authenticates a work. To build your reputation, use it consistently with every sale: it confirms to the buyer that you created the work they are acquiring. The absence of a certificate can raise doubts about the authenticity of the work or the professionalism of the artist.
What it should contain
The details may vary with the work, but it should always include the name of the piece, the date of creation and a signature: that of the artist, the publisher (for limited editions) or an authorised dealer.
- Signature, preferably the artist's, handwritten rather than photocopied.
- Title or subject of the work.
- Date of creation.
- Dimensions.
- Technique and materials.
- Edition size, if it is a limited edition.
- An image of the work.
- Any other relevant details and, if you sell online, your contact details.
It is worth preparing the certificate for each work even if you have no immediate plans to sell it: having all the information documented from the outset makes future sales easier. Many online buyers prefer to see the certificate before they buy.
An important caveat
Valuable as they are, certificates of authenticity are not legally binding in themselves: anyone can create one and there is no universal standard. This has led to fraudulent certificates circulating. That is why it is advisable for the certificate to include security features and a verification system and, when the author can no longer vouch for the signature, for an independent expert to examine it.
The VS Certificate authenticates signatures and handwriting. On a work of art I can examine the signature, but I do not give an opinion on the attribution of the work itself.
Frequently asked questions
Can artists sign their own certificate?
Yes, and that is the norm for new work. When the artist can no longer do so, an independent expert should examine it.
Do you authenticate signatures on paintings?
I examine the handwritten signature on the work, but not the attribution of the painting, which requires other specialists.
Would you like to certify a signature?
Do you have a work or document with a signature you would like to certify? I'll tell you, with no obligation, what I can examine and what it costs.
Juan García Nicolás · Graphologist and forensic handwriting examiner
Trained at Ipsigrap, he personally signs every VS Certificate. Service in English and Spanish. More about me