Research & analysisArchival researchtext

Document an archival item's provenance

Preserves uncertainty around origin and custody.

Editorial illustration for Document an archival item's provenance
Editorial illustration for this prompt; the prompt itself does not generate this image.

Ready to use

Prompt

Inputs: [ITEM DESCRIPTION], [CATALOGUE RECORD], [PROVENANCE NOTES]. Separate physical observations, catalogue assertions and later recollections. Record chain-of-custody gaps and alternative identifications. Output: A provenance card and questions for the archive. Check: Each date or attribution is tied to a named record. If essential information is missing, identify it rather than filling the gap with a guess. Distinguish a recorded custody transfer from an unsupported assumption that custody was continuous.