The Smithsonian Provenance Research Initiative conducts comprehensive provenance research across the Smithsonian’s diverse collections, from works of art to rare books and spacecraft. Provenance research at the Smithsonian serves as detective work to solve issues of authentication, ownership, and significance of objects.
Key aspects include:
Led by Jane Milosch as Director, with Laurie A. Stein as Senior Advisor
Participates in the German/American Provenance Research Exchange Program (PREP), a transatlantic initiative focusing on Holocaust-era provenance research with emphasis on Asian art, decorative arts, and works on paper
Provides online resources and guides for provenance research
Focuses on understanding the complete ownership history of objects from creation to presentation.
