Cleveland Museum of Art Hires Provenance Research Assistant

For more information, please contact:
Saeko Yamamoto, 216-707-6898, syamamoto@clevelandart.org
Caroline Guscott, 216-707-2261, cguscott@clevelandart.org

CLEVELAND (February 15, 2013) – The Cleveland Museum of Art announces the appointment of Victoria Sears Goldman to the position of Provenance Research Assistant. Goldman will be tasked with researching and verifying provenance information of works of art in the museum’s world-renowned collection, beginning with paintings and sculpture in the American and European (1500 – 1800) collections. The provenance information will then be placed on the museum’s website, making it accessible to visitors and researchers from around the world. Goldman will report to Louis Adrean, Senior Librarian for Research and Public Programs in the museum’s Ingalls Library and Archives.

“This position represents a first step in my vision of making provenance information about much of our collection available to the public on our website,” said David Franklin, Sarah S. and Alexander M. Cutler director. “By starting with the objects in these collections, many of which already have significant provenance information available, it will allow us to make some provenance information accessible. We are thrilled to have Victoria working on this project.”

Goldman has substantial experience in the field of provenance research and has worked with a variety of firms, including the International Foundation for Art Research (IFAR) and Commission for Art Recovery. She currently conducts research for the Database of Art Objects at the Jeu de Paume as well as Grossman LLP, an art law litigation boutique in Manhattan. Goldman received her PhD and masters of arts in art history from Princeton University, and her bachelor of arts in art history from Barnard College of Columbia University.

“I’m thrilled to be joining the museum’s provenance research project,” said Goldman. “It is an exciting time for the museum, and I look forward to drawing on my experience and lending my expertise to this important endeavor.”

The museum’s American collection is among the finest in the world with approximately 300 paintings and 90 sculptures represented. Its two greatest strengths are a stunning group of Hudson River School landscapes and a superb selection of realist paintings from Winslow Homer through the Ashcan School to Edward Hopper. The collection of European painting and sculpture from 1500 to 1800 is internationally significant; areas of particular depth include Italian Baroque and 17th century Dutch painting. Highly significant holding include Spanish Baroque, Italian Renaissance, 17th century French painting as well as 18th century French and British holdings.

The Ingalls Library and Archives is the third largest art research library in the United States and has over 470,000 volumes in its collection. Its wide-ranging collection, which is open to the public, includes monographs, current periodicals and long runs of ceased periodicals as well as auction and dealers’ catalogues, microforms, electronic publications and clipping files.

The Provenance Research Assistant position is funded by the $2.5 million endowment from long-time museum trustee and community supporters Sally and her husband Alexander Cutler. The Sarah S. and Alexander M. Cutler Director’s Chair provides resources needed to spark innovation, support forward thinking and fund the initiatives and priorities identified by the museum director as important to the institution’s future. This is the first time the funds have been used by the museum.