TILI Winter Session: Provenance Research: Uncovering the Life Stories of Works of Art with Victoria Reed

Every work of art has a story to tell, and uncovering its past – or provenance – can be a thrilling challenge. But what is provenance, exactly, and why is it important? In this lecture, we will review some of the changes the art world has witnessed in recent decades. Over the past 30 years, the study of provenance and its role on the market and in museums has increased dramatically. Through fascinating case studies, we’ll explore how provenance research intersects with issues of condition and conservation, the history of taste, and the ethics of collecting -- and why doing this work is critical for any art museum in the 21st century.

Victoria Reed is the Bettina Burr Chair for Provenance at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston (MFA). Trained as a Renaissance art historian, in her current role at the MFA, she is responsible for provenance research and documentation, responding to ownership claims, and overseeing due diligence policies and practices throughout the curatorial division.

Register to join us online on February 26 at 11 a.m. Contact tilli@tisrael.org with questions.

Temple Israel’s Lifelong Learning Institute (TILLI) provides opportunities for Temple Israel members and others to engage in peer-led, intellectually stimulating study groups covering a broad range of topics, to develop social relationships and a community, and to enjoy cultural events together.