Researching provenance—the history of the ownership of a work of art—is an essential part of the National Museum of African Art’s mission. Such research is fundamental to the process by which any work of art, either through gift or purchase, enters the collection. As a part of the Smithsonian Institution and as a global leader in the field of African art history, the National Museum of African Art operates according to the highest legal standards in making determinations about which works to bring in to its collection.
Learn more about the museum’s work in researching collection provenance—and contribute tips in its efforts.
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