Provenance Research and History of Collecting

Provenance research is understood to be contextual research across disciplines and historical periods. It reveals the complexity of the values ascribed to art and cultural objects in various societies, social constellations and also by individuals. Thus, the history of private and institutional collecting is closely linked to provenance research.

Rooted in art history, this degree program is offered by the transdisciplinary research unit Provenance Research and Cultural Property Law. Accordingly, this degree program not only features content from the area of art history but also from the area of law, exploring all periods and (extra-)European regions. In addition, the program deepens students’ specialized knowledge about the translocation of artworks and cultural goods, the history of collecting and the art market as well as legal questions regarding the art trade and cultural property. Moreover, students acquire the intellectual autonomy to place their acquired knowledge in the context of complex (art) historical and legal questions. Of central importance to this degree program are its practical focus, shaped by diverse practical elements in the curriculum and the cooperation with partner institutions, as well as the possibility for students to develop a specialized profile in the areas of art history, history, museum studies, cultural sociology and post-colonialism.

Possible lines of work: 

Museums/preservation of monuments and historic buildings/art dealing (galleries, auction houses), exhibitions (curator work, guided tours) lending operations), culture (institutions, municipal cultural affairs offices), insurance (appraisals), academia (research management, teaching/research at universities or research facilities), public relations