Skip to main content
Skip to footer Skip to Acknowledgement of Country
National Gallery of Australia
What's On Art & Artists Visit
Login
  1. Home
  2. Art & Artists
  3. Provenance
  4. Provenance and Due Diligence

Provenance and Due Diligence

A man is showing a woman images on a piece of paper in an art conservation laboratory
  • About
  • Policies
  • Conventions and Best Practice

About


The National Gallery is committed to only acquiring and exhibiting works of art in line with the highest standards of due diligence, which is the thorough assessment of a work of art and its current and past ownership. This helps us to evaluate its authenticity and to identify and appraise any gaps in or concerns about its history of ownership and trade. We also consider cultural sensitivities, ethical and professional practice, and applicable laws and conventions.

As a fundamental part of our mission and as an ethical member of the museum community we also research and publish information about the existing collection. You can access ongoing research into the origins and ownership histories, or provenance, of works of art from our collection. We are in the process of assessing and publishing the collecting histories of all works of art in the collection. This will take time and new information will be added as research progresses.

We are keen to hear from you about our collection, so please share your knowledge. If you have any information email provenance@nga.gov.au.

Policies


It is an essential and ongoing part of responsible collection management to continuously review and interrogate the collection. New information about the collection is considered in relation to our policies and procedures, in particular the Due Diligence and Provenance Policy and Provenance decision-making framework. Provenance decision-making at the National Gallery is determined by an evidence-based approach evaluated on the balance of probabilities, anchored in robust legal and ethical decision-making principles and considerations.

For more detailed information on policies relating to acquiring and exhibiting works of art at the National Gallery of Australia, see:

  • Due Diligence and Provenance Policy
  • Inward Loans Policy
  • Outward Loans Policy
  • Art Acquisition Policy>
  • Art Deaccessioning Policy
  • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultural Rights and Engagement Policy
  • Exhibitions Policy

Australian and International Conventions and Best Practice


The National Gallery adheres to the principles of the 1970 UNESCO Convention on the Means of Prohibiting and Preventing the Illicit Import, Export and Transfer of Ownership of Cultural Property. The obligations and principles under this treaty are reflected in the international and Australian codes of museum ethics that the National Gallery subscribes to. The National Gallery is also subject to Australian legislation including the Protection of Movable Cultural Heritage Act 1986. In 2014 the Ministry for the Arts released the Australian Best Practice Guide to Collecting Cultural Material. The guide outlines the legal obligations and ethical standards to which Australia’s public collecting institutions should adhere when acquiring and borrowing cultural material. The National Gallery is committed to ensuring the guidelines are followed.

Related


Environmental Policy Statement

Close up photograph of ferns in Fiona Hall's Fern Garden

The Gallery makes a strong commitment to environmental best practice and the prevention of pollution in its operations.

Provenance

Photograph of building exterior at night with camera facing up

Understanding where our collection comes from.

Website Copyright

The contents of this website are protected by copyright. More information from obtained from the Rights and Permissions Officer.

Art Enquiries & Claims Handling Procedure

In a high-ceilinged gallery space a woman walks near a wall pasted completely with coloured squares of writing

The Gallery invites people to make contact if they have a concern about a work that the Gallery owns, has borrowed, or is about to borrow.

Provenance

East Asia

Ceramic sculpture of saddled horse

The NGA has a significant collection of works of art from East Asia, in particular China and Japan.

Provenance

Gallery Policies

A large metal sculpture of an Indigenous Australian fish trap is hanging from the ceiling in a large gallery foyer

Detailed information on policies relating to acquiring and exhibiting works of art at the National Gallery.

Yuuma, Gurruburri

The National Gallery acknowledges the Ngunnawal and Ngambri peoples, the Traditional Custodians of the Kamberri/Canberra region, and recognises their continuous connection to culture, community and Country.

  • National Gallery On Demand
  • Art & Artists
  • What's On
  • Visit
  • Membership
  • Donate
  • Jobs
  • About Us

Connect

+61 2 6240 6411
information@nga.gov.au
Get art in your inbox

Open every day

(except Christmas day)
10am – 5pm

Ngunnawal and Ngambri Country
Parkes Place East, Parkes ACT 2600

View Street Map
View Gallery Map


Contact us

National Gallery of Australia

Follow the National gallery of Australia on:

  • Instagram
  • YouTube
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
Website Privacy Website Disclaimer Website Copyright
Opening Acknowledgment of Country

The National Gallery acknowledges the First Peoples of this land and recognises their continuous connection to culture, community and Country

Learn More
Aerial view of artist Lola Greeno walking along Rocky Beach
Aerial view of artist Lola Greeno walking along Rocky Beach
    • View All
    • Today
    • Exhibitions
    • On tour
    • Access Programs
    • All Programs
    • On Demand
    • About the Collection
    • Sculpture Garden
    • Kenneth E. Tyler Collection
    • Provenance
    • Conservation
    • Copyright
    • Search the Collection
    • Plan Your Visit
    • Getting Here
    • Parking & Transport
    • Art Store
    • Dining
    • Visiting with Kids
    • Research Library & Archives
    • Admission tickets
    • Browse Stories
    • Browse Videos
    • Podcasts
    • Audio Tours
    • Virtual Tours
    • The Annual
    • Publications
    • Learning Programs
    • For people with access needs
    • For Teachers & Students
    • For Young People
    • For Kids & Families
    • For Adults
    • For Your Community
    • Art Cases
    • Educator Programs
    • Get Involved
    • Membership
    • Voluntary Guides
    • Partnerships
    • Support
    • Donate
  • First Nations
  • Access
  • Art Store
  • Media
  • Venue Hire
  • About Us
  • Contacts