Research practice · Evidence file
How to Build an Artist Research File Before You Buy
A useful research file separates the work you love from the evidence you still need—and makes uncertainty visible before a decision becomes expensive.
- 01Start with the specific work, not the artist’s reputation in the abstract.
- 02Separate verified facts, market evidence and interpretation.
- 03Record unanswered questions with an owner and a deadline.
Begin with the object
An artist-level biography is context, not diligence on a particular work. Record the title, date, medium, dimensions, edition information, inscriptions, current owner and the source of every claim. When two documents disagree, preserve both versions until the discrepancy is resolved.
Photographs should include the front, reverse, frame, labels, signatures and any areas of concern. A screenshot from a sales deck is not a substitute for object-level documentation.
✓ SOURCE CONTEXT REQUIREDBuild three evidence lanes
Keep verified facts, market observations and interpretation visibly separate. Verified facts include signed documentation or confirmation from a relevant authority. Market observations include comparable public sales and current asking prices. Interpretation is the collector or advisor’s assessment of quality, rarity and fit.
- Object and ownership record
- Exhibition and publication history
- Comparable works with reasons for inclusion
- Condition and conservation questions
- Open diligence items
Treat market data as context
A record price for an artist does not establish the value of every work. Date, scale, medium, subject, series, provenance, condition, sale venue and buyer competition can materially change an outcome. Use a small group of genuinely comparable works and explain why each belongs.
✓ SOURCE CONTEXT REQUIREDEnd with a decision note
A good file ends with a short note: why this work, why now, what is known, what remains uncertain and what would change the recommendation. This creates an accountable record instead of a retrospective story.
✓ SOURCE CONTEXT REQUIRED- 01The Art Basel and UBS Global Art Market Report 2026Art Basel and UBS · Accessed August 13, 2026
- 02Collaboration with the Art MarketUNESCO · Accessed August 13, 2026
Educational editorial content reflecting the author’s professional perspective. Not legal, tax, appraisal or investment advice. No specific artwork, seller or transaction paid for inclusion.
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