Table of Contents: Definition – Attribution
“Attribution”
Pronunciation: /ˌætrɪˈbjuːʃən/ (at-rih-BYOO-shun)
Part of Speech: Noun
Attribution Definition (Art History and Archaeological Context)
Attribution is the critical process of determining the author, origin, or maker of a work of art or artifact. In art history, it means assigning a painting or sculpture to a specific artist. In archaeology, it means assigning an artifact to a particular culture, site, or time period. This decision relies on stylistic analysis, provenance research, and scientific testing. Attribution is fundamental to understanding the object’s historical and monetary value.
Origin of the Word “Attribution”
The word comes from the Latin term attribuere. This means “to assign,” “to allot,” or “to give.” It is derived from ad- (to) and tribuere (to assign). The modern term retains the meaning of assigning a quality or characteristic, in this case, authorship or origin.
Examples:
General Use: “In addition, the museum changed the attribution of the statue from ‘School of Phidias’ to ‘Workshop of Phidias’.”
Art History Context: “Similarly, stylistic analysis helped confirm the attribution of the newly discovered canvas to Rembrandt.”
Archaeological Context: “Consequently, chemical fingerprinting helped determine the ceramic’s attribution to a specific region’s clay beds.”
Curatorial Context: “Moreover, the label listed the artwork with the secure attribution ‘Leonardo da Vinci, 1495’.”
Vocabulary and Language Resources
Terms Related to Attribution
- Authentication: The verification of an object’s genuineness, separate from assigning authorship, for example.
- Connoisseurship: Expert judgment used in identifying the style and technique of an artist.
- Provenance: The documented ownership history, a key element in establishing a valid attribution.
- Workshop: A designation used when a work is judged to be made by an artist’s students or assistants.
- Stylistic Analysis: The critical study of artistic features, technique, and composition.
- Dating: Determining the age of an object, which supports its attribution to a period.
Etymology
Attribution: From Latin attribuere (to assign, to allot).
Synonyms
Assignment, designation, ascription, authorship, provenance, authentication.
Antonyms:
Disputed (uncertain assignment), Repudiated (rejected assignment), Anonymous (unknown maker).
Thesaurus
Source, origin, assignment, credit, reference, classification, placement.
Attribution Historical & Cultural Context
The practice of Attribution began in the Renaissance as art critics and collectors sought to identify and value works by famous masters. In archaeology, the practice grew with the systematic study of artifacts in the 19th century. Today, Attribution is a collaborative effort. It combines the qualitative eye of the art historian with the quantitative data provided by material scientists. Clear Attribution is necessary for academic study and for managing collections.
Principles or Key Aspects of Attribution:
- Evidence-Based: Any claim must be supported by historical, stylistic, or scientific proof.
- Hierarchical: Designations can range from ‘Authenticated’ to ‘Circle of’ or ‘Follower of’.
- Revisable: New evidence can lead to a formal change or overturning of an established attribution.
- Comparative: Objects are judged by comparison to securely identified works by the same artist or culture.
- Contextual: For artifacts, Attribution includes linking the object to a known cultural or chronological setting.
Ethical Considerations for Attribution
- Financial Influence: Experts must resist pressure to make attributions that would increase an object’s market price.
- Misrepresentation: Incorrect attribution can distort art history and mislead the public.
- Transparency: Scholars should clearly state the degree of certainty regarding a given assignment.
- Plagiarism: Misattributing an artist’s work to a more famous one is unethical and often illegal.
Relevance to Ancient Worlds
Attribution is crucial for understanding ancient worlds because it:
- Informs Chronology: Assigning artifacts to specific periods helps build the timeline of ancient cultures.
- Identifies Trade: Attribution of pottery or goods reveals ancient trade routes and contact between groups.
- Studies Workshops: Helps determine the production sites and influence of ancient sculptural schools.
- Validates History: The geographical and temporal assignment of documents confirms historical events.
- Organizes Knowledge: It provides the framework for organizing and interpreting millions of ancient objects in museums.
