It's ELEMENTARY my dear collector
The word provenance is derived from the French term provenir, meaning “to come from.” When a collector considers purchasing a work of art, the subject of the work’s provenance is often brought up. When the term is used in fine art, or antiques, it refers to the history of the ownership of a particular piece — the piece’s personal story.
Reviewing, vetting and tracking the history of an object can be a profession all on its own. Uncovering an inscription, discovering a piece in the background of a photo, or looking at the condition of a piece can all weave an interesting narrative about a piece.
The most fundamental forms of provenance are original documents that can trace the ownership of
