February
24th Questions:
1. Provenance is the origin of an art work. It ascertains
that the piece is the original, and that it isn't a forgery, and it helps to
establish ownership. Leonardo's
techniques and processes are as much of a signature to his work as if he had
signed his name on them, whereas an attribution is more of an educated guess.
2. I don't personally think I would have
accepted DuChamps Fountain. It's still
somewhat of a debate about whether or not it is actually art, even now, because
it is a readymade sculpture. Although,
the addition of the writing on the piece does elevate it beyond just being a
urinal.
Provenance establishes the origin of the artwork and traces its lineage (the individuals and institutions who have owned the work). Attribution makes a claim about an artwork being created by a certain artist without an actual signature.
ReplyDeleteI am not sure there really is debate about the status of Duchamp's Fountain as art today, but am curious to hear more about your sense of the debate . . .