Art Law Colloquium: Provenance Research at Museums with Meghan Bill
January 26, 2024
About this Event
Colloquium on Provenance Research featuring Meghan Bill, Director of Provenance Research at the Brooklyn Museum and law student at Fordham Law School demonstrated how two professions, art history and law, can work well together. In this program, Meghan provided a comprehensive overview of provenance research as a profession, shedding light on the unique aspects of the field and discussed the day-to-day operations to understand the processes involved in tracing the history and ownership of artworks.
The session included studies and examples of provenance research conducted for artworks spanning different historical periods as well as the challenges and triumphs of uncovering the history behind diverse pieces, highlighting the significance of different eras. The session also explored insights into the complexities and ethical considerations inherent in provenance research and the delicate balance between historical accuracy and legal implications. Meghan focused on the unique approaches to provenance research at museums, distinguishing it from methodologies employed by other art institutions or researchers as well as the technology, platforms and mediums used in her research. She also touched upon the collaborative nature of this field and the diverse perspectives that contribute to provenance research as well as the legal documents that often come up when conducting research at museums.
Through the session Meghan shared her thoughts on the evolving landscape of provenance research as well as potential advancements, challenges, and the role of legal expertise in shaping the future of this field.
About the Speaker
Meghan Bill is a museum professional working to make provenance research and collections practices more equitable, inclusive, and transparent. Her expertise includes: provenance research of antiquities, protected cultural heritage, and works acquired during colonial eras; repatriation, rematriation, and restitution; community-engaged collections care; legal and ethical issues of cultural heritage management.
Handouts and Reading Material
Read the handouts HERE.
Recording of the Lecture
Watch the recording HERE.
