What a certificate of authenticity really guarantees (and what to check)

A certificate of authenticity is one of those documents everyone expects and few examine closely. Collectors ask whether a work comes with one, tuck it in a drawer, and hope never to need it. It is worth understanding what the paper actually does, because a certificate is only as good as the information on it and the person who signed it.

This guide explains what a certificate should contain, how it sits alongside provenance and invoices, and how to satisfy yourself that a painting is what it is said to be. It is written from the studio side, where certificates begin.

What a certificate of authenticity is

A certificate of authenticity, often shortened to COA, is a written statement identifying a specific work and affirming that it is genuine. For a living artist, the strongest version is simple: a document issued and signed by the artist herself, confirming that she made the work and describing it precisely enough that it cannot be confused with another.

That last point matters more than the word 'certificate'. A grand-looking sheet with a signature but no detail proves little. A plain page that names the exact work, its materials and its dimensions, signed by the person who painted it, is far stronger. The value is in the specificity and the source, not the formatting.

What a good certificate should contain

When I issue a certificate here in Lille, it records the details that let a work be identified beyond doubt:

• Title of the work.
• Year of creation.
• Medium - for my work, typically some combination of collage, charcoal, oil and raw pigment.
• Dimensions in centimetres.
• Support - canvas, panel or paper.
• The artist's name and signature, dated.
• Where useful, a photograph of the work so the paper and the painting travel together.

A unique reference or edition note can be added, though most of my pieces are unique works rather than editions. If a certificate you are offered lacks the basics above, ask for them. A serious seller will not hesitate.

Certificate, provenance and invoice: three different things

These terms are often used loosely, but they answer different questions, and a well-documented work has all three.

The certificate

Confirms authorship and identity: this is the work, and this person made it.

The provenance

Traces ownership over time: who has held the work since it left the studio. A short provenance is normal for a recent painting bought new; it simply begins with you. Provenance becomes richer, and more important, as a work changes hands or appears publicly. Occasionally provenance carries real weight of its own - for instance, when a work has a documented history in film or exhibition. That is the subject of a separate guide.

The invoice

Records the transaction: what you paid, to whom, and when. It is your proof of title and often the most useful document of all if a question ever arises. Keep it with the certificate.

Together these form a chain. The certificate says the work is genuine, the invoice says you acquired it legitimately, and the provenance says where it has been. Missing links do not always signal a problem, but they are worth noticing.

How to verify authenticity

For a living artist, verification is refreshingly direct. You can go to the source. A few sensible checks:

• Match the certificate to the work. Title, dimensions, medium and any photograph should correspond exactly to the painting in front of you.
• Confirm the signature and the source. Where possible, buy from the artist or an authorised representative, so the certificate comes from the person who made the work rather than a third party.
• Ask the studio. When a work was bought new from me, I can confirm it against my own records. That is one of the quieter advantages of acquiring directly.
• Keep everything together. Certificate, invoice and any correspondence form your record. Digitise them, and note where the originals are held.

For older or secondary-market works by artists who are no longer living, authentication is a more specialist matter, sometimes involving a foundation or a recognised expert. For a contemporary painter still at work, the simplest safeguard is to shorten the chain between you and the studio.

What you receive when you buy directly from the studio

When you acquire a painting directly from me, the documentation is issued by the person who made it. Each work leaves the studio with a signed certificate recording its title, year, medium and dimensions, an invoice, and a photograph where it helps. Because the sale is direct, there is no ambiguity about the first link in the provenance: it starts with your acquisition, from my hands. You can see what is currently available, and every question about a specific work is answered personally.

Frequently asked questions

Is a certificate of authenticity legally required?

No. There is no law compelling one, and a work without a certificate is not necessarily inauthentic. But a proper certificate, especially one issued by the living artist, makes a work far easier to insure, resell and pass on. It is standard practice for good reason.

Does a certificate guarantee a painting's value?

No. It confirms authorship and identity, not price. Value is set by the market, the artist's standing and the work itself. The certificate protects you from a different risk: acquiring something that is not what it claims to be.

What should I do if a work has no certificate?

Ask the seller to provide one, or to explain its absence. For a work bought new, the artist can usually issue or reissue documentation. For an older work, gather whatever provenance and invoices exist, and seek specialist advice before a significant purchase.

Can a certificate be replaced if I lose it?

For a work you bought directly from me, yes - I keep records and can reissue confirmation. This is another reason to note where a work was acquired and to keep the studio's contact details with your other papers.

If you would like to see how a specific painting is documented, or simply to ask a question before you buy, you are welcome to contact the studio. You can also read more about why buying directly from the artist keeps the record clean.