The signature on an artwork

A short history of the signature in art

Goldsmiths and silversmiths were the first to sign their works. They did so by applying hallmarks to their jewellery, which attested to the maker's skills and artistic commitment.

During the Renaissance, an increasing focus on individual creativity meant signatures became an important way for artists to differentiate their work from others. Great masters, such as Leonardo da Vinci and Albrecht Durer, began signing their works. However this was not done consistently until the 19th century.he emergence of an art market during that period meant that the practice of signing one's work became a general rule.

Nowadays, with the development of street art, some artists choose to no longer sign their work to avoid it being taken down in order to be resold.

The signature as a means of authenticating an artworkt

The signature is a key component that makes it possible to authenticate a work of art. It helps to identifies the artwork's maker. At first confined to unique artworks such as paintings, sculptures, and artistic drawings, today signatures can also be found on photographs and prints. Nowadays it is recommended that each print be signed by the artist and numbered.

It is also important to be aware of the fact that an artist may have more than one signature and that some artists use several different signatures during their lifetime, so these must be attributed to the artist by an expert. It's always helpful if the date and exhibition label can also be found at the back of the painting!

Be careful, however, because a painting can be signed but not authenticated as signatures can be reproduced. It is also possible for an unsigned artwork to be authenticated. In such cases, it is best to consult an expert to confirm the work's authenticity with an expert and/or ask for a signed and dated certificate of authenticity with a description of the artwork.

Tip: How can you tell if the artwork you want to buy on Artsper is signed by the artist? Simply have a look at the section Description > Signature. If the artwork is listed as unsigned, this does not mean it is not authentic, but simply that the artist does not sign his or her works. In such cases, the invoice issued by Artsper will also help to serve as authentication. It is therefore important to keep it in a safe place.