Condition report

A condition report records the physical state of an artwork at a particular time. It helps a buyer understand disclosed issues and creates a baseline for comparing the work after shipping, display, storage, or a future loan.

• The exact object and date of examination
• Materials, support, frame, mount, glazing, and relevant construction
• Location, type, and extent of damage, deterioration, alteration, and repair
• Observable instability or areas needing further examination
• Photographs or a diagram that locate the observations
• The examiner and the report’s scope or limitations

A brief seller report and an independent conservator’s examination are not interchangeable. Auction-house and seller reports may be prepared for transaction purposes and offered subject to limitations. An independent report can be appropriate when condition is technically complex, difficult to see, or material to the price.

Condition is not a simple pass-or-fail score. Age, artist intent, materials, prior treatment, and the buyer’s plans all matter. The report should make the facts and uncertainty more legible; the purchase decision remains yours.