The Artist’s Guarantee: Why a Certificate of Authenticity Matters
When you acquire an original painting, you aren’t simply buying canvas and pigment—you are investing in a living piece of an artist’s legacy. To protect that investment, every professional artwork should be accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity (COA).
A COA ensures that the artwork you own is genuine, traceable, and permanently connected to the artist who created it.
What Is a Certificate of Authenticity?
A Certificate of Authenticity is a formal document that verifies a work of art as an original creation by the attributed artist. It functions as the artwork’s identity papers—establishing a permanent and verifiable link between the creator and the collector. For artists like Vivek Vadkar, it is a way to validate the unique technique, composition, and intention behind every stroke.
Why Is It Essential for Collectors?
- Proof of Provenance: Provenance refers to the history of ownership. A COA is the starting point of this journey, tracing the artwork directly back to the artist’s studio.
- Investment Protection: Authenticated artworks retain and grow in value far better than undocumented pieces. Galleries, museums, and auction houses always require a COA for resale or donation.
- Insurance Verification: Most insurance providers require a COA to confirm an artwork’s existence and assessed value before issuing coverage.
- Anti-Forgery Assurance: A COA protects collectors from copies, replicas, or “style-of” imitations—ensuring the work you own is truly original.
What Makes a COA Valid?
A professional certificate must be clear, detailed, and difficult to replicate. At the Vivek Vadkar Studio, each Certificate of Authenticity includes:
- Artist Name: Full legal name of the creator.
- Title of the Work: The official name of the artwork.
- Date of Completion: When the piece was finalized.
- Medium & Materials: Details of paints and surfaces used.
- Dimensions: Accurate measurements of the artwork.
- Unique Identifier: A serial number or high-resolution image to prevent misuse.
- Original Signature: Hand-signed or securely authenticated digital signature.
How to Care for Your Certificate
Collectors are encouraged to care for their Certificate of Authenticity with the same diligence as the artwork itself.
- Store It Separately: Never attach the certificate to the back of the painting. Keep it in a fireproof safe or secure digital archive.
- Transfer with Sale: If the artwork is sold or gifted, the COA must accompany it to preserve its provenance.
Final Thought: An artwork without a certificate is a mystery; an artwork with a certificate is a legacy. By issuing Certificates of Authenticity, Vivek Vadkar ensures that every collector owns not just a painting—but a documented piece of history, protected for generations to come.