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curatorial-research skill

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This skill conducts art historical research, provenance analysis, and scholarly writing to inform exhibitions, acquisitions, and publications.

npx playbooks add skill a5c-ai/babysitter --skill curatorial-research

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SKILL.md
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---
name: curatorial-research
description: Conduct art historical research, provenance investigation, and scholarly analysis to inform exhibitions, acquisitions, and publications using primary and secondary sources
allowed-tools: Read, Grep, Write, Edit, Glob, WebFetch, WebSearch
---

# Curatorial Research

Conduct comprehensive art historical research, provenance investigation, and scholarly analysis to inform curatorial decisions for exhibitions, acquisitions, and publications.

## Overview

This skill provides methodologies and frameworks for conducting rigorous curatorial research. It encompasses art historical analysis, provenance research, scholarly writing, and the critical evaluation of primary and secondary sources to support museum and gallery operations.

## Capabilities

### Art Historical Research
- Conduct iconographic and iconological analysis
- Apply formal analysis methodologies
- Research artist biographies and oeuvres
- Investigate artistic movements and periods
- Analyze stylistic development and influences

### Provenance Investigation
- Trace ownership history of artworks
- Identify gaps in provenance records
- Research exhibition and publication history
- Investigate authenticity questions
- Document chain of custody

### Source Evaluation
- Assess reliability of primary sources
- Evaluate scholarly secondary literature
- Identify archival resources
- Navigate digital humanities databases
- Cross-reference multiple source types

### Scholarly Documentation
- Prepare catalogue raisonne entries
- Write exhibition catalog essays
- Document condition and conservation history
- Create object files and records
- Generate bibliography and citations

## Usage Guidelines

### Research Process
1. Define research questions and scope
2. Identify relevant archival collections
3. Conduct systematic literature review
4. Analyze primary source materials
5. Synthesize findings into coherent narrative
6. Document sources and methodology

### Provenance Standards
- Follow AAM Guidelines on Object Status
- Adhere to AAMD Object Registry protocols
- Document all ownership transfers
- Flag potential title issues
- Note exhibition and loan history

### Documentation Requirements
- Maintain detailed research notes
- Create source citation records
- Document visual analysis observations
- Record interview and correspondence summaries
- Preserve digital and physical source copies

## Integration Points

### Related Processes
- Curatorial Research Process
- Exhibition Development Process
- Collection Management Process
- Loan Agreement Process

### Collaborating Skills
- collection-documentation
- interpretive-writing
- grant-proposal-writing

## References

- Getty Research Institute resources
- IFAR Provenance Guide
- AAM Standards and Best Practices
- College Art Association guidelines

Overview

This skill equips curators, researchers, and cultural professionals to conduct rigorous art historical research, provenance investigation, and scholarly analysis that inform exhibitions, acquisitions, and publications. It combines structured methodologies for source evaluation, provenance tracing, and scholarly documentation to produce defensible, auditable research outputs. The approach prioritizes primary-source verification, clear documentation, and discipline-specific standards.

How this skill works

The skill guides users through a stepwise research workflow: defining research questions, locating archival and digital sources, conducting formal and iconographic analyses, and compiling provenance chains. It applies established museum and professional standards to flag title issues, document ownership transfers, and synthesize findings into catalogue entries, essays, and object records. Outputs include source-tagged narratives, citation lists, and recommended next steps for conservation or legal review.

When to use it

  • Preparing an exhibition catalogue or wall labels requiring authoritative context
  • Assessing an acquisition or donation with uncertain provenance
  • Investigating authenticity or attribution questions for a work of art
  • Compiling object files and condition histories for collection management
  • Preparing loan documentation or responding to provenance inquiries

Best practices

  • Start with a narrow, answerable research question and scope to focus archival work
  • Cross-reference primary sources (ledgers, correspondence, exhibition catalogs) with secondary scholarship
  • Document every step: sources, search terms, repositories, and access dates for auditability
  • Follow AAM/AAMD and IFAR guidance when recording ownership history and potential title issues
  • Preserve copies of digital files and maintain organized, versioned research notes

Example use cases

  • Trace ownership and exhibition history to resolve a gap in provenance before acquisition
  • Produce a catalogue raisonné entry synthesizing formal analysis, bibliography, and provenance evidence
  • Write an exhibition essay that situates an artist within a movement using primary documents and archival images
  • Create an object file documenting condition, conservation history, and relevant correspondence for a long-term loan request
  • Assess potential restitution risks by identifying prior transfers during periods of conflict

FAQ

What counts as a reliable primary source for provenance?

Primary sources include bills of sale, invoices, correspondence, exhibition labels/catalogs, inventory records, and shipment or customs documents. Original archives and institutional records are highest value.

How do you handle disputed attributions or authenticity questions?

Document all evidence, present alternative readings, flag uncertainties, and recommend technical analysis or specialist consultation. Keep provenance and condition records separate from attribution statements until consensus or additional data emerges.