Ancient Objects, Modern Histories: A New Resource for Provenance Research

Talk
Side-by-side image showing an engraving of a statue depicting a crouching female figure next to the actual statue in a museum gallery.

Left: Engraving of a marble Crouching Venus in Bartolomeo Cavaceppi, Raccolta d'antiche statue, busti, bassirilievi ed altre sculture: restaurate da Bartolomeo Cavaceppi, scultore romano (Rome: Nella stamperia di Generoso Salomoni, 1768–1772), vol. 2, pl. 60. The Getty Research Institute, 93-B5285. Right: Statue of a Crouching Venus (on display at the Getty Villa Museum), 100–150 CE, Roman. Marble. Getty Museum

Wednesday, Dec 2, 2026

4pm

Getty Villa & Online

Villa Auditorium

Free

Tickets are free, but required for event entrance. Your event ticket will also serve as your Villa entrance reservation. Please note, there is a fee for parking.

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About

How do artworks enter museum collections? The answer may involve unexpected histories: a purchase at a department store, a gift received at a wedding, or a souvenir brought home from 19th century travels. Provenance research traces the ownership histories of artworks, drawing from art history, archival research, and conservation to uncover stories shaped by centuries of collecting, exchange, and reinterpretation.

Join us for a special program to celebrate the launch of a new Getty publication, Provenance Research for Mediterranean Antiquities: Methods and Resources. Provenance expert Lynn Rother introduces the state of the field in the 21st century and its significance. Then volume editors Judith Barr, Nicole Budrovich, and David Saunders join moderator Verena Lepper to discuss how antiquities from the Mediterranean have traveled around the world, how we can trace their journeys, and why we should. Reception to follow.

The first book of its kind, this publication offers an accessible introduction to the methods and resources used to research the provenance of antiquities. The free online edition, featuring enlargeable illustrations, is available alongside free PDF and EPUB downloads.

    Talk Getty Villa

    Know Before You Go

    Duration

    Approximately 90 minutes. A reception follows the talk for in-person attendees on the Cafe Terrace.

    Planning your arrival

    Please bring your tickets with you and have them open on your mobile device or printed. Your event ticket is also your entry to the Villa and will be checked upon arrival.

    Your ticket will also be checked at the event entrance.

    Note that during busy times of year and weekends, we recommend planning your visit to allow for at least 20 minutes to park, go through security, and make your way to the event.

    Event Check-In

    Check-in begins 60 minutes before program start time at the Auditorium.

    Doors open 30 minutes before program start time.

    Seating

    Unless otherwise noted, all seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis. We recommend arriving early to guarantee a seat. Unclaimed tickets may be released 15 minutes prior to the event.

    Accessibility

    Wheelchairs are available for free rental on a first-come, first-served basis in the Entry Pavilion.

    Seating for wheelchair users and their party is available at the back of the auditorium, as well as at the front of the space. If you'd like to sit in the front, please let a Visitor Services associate know when you check in and they can escort you to these seats.

    Assisted listening devices are available for this event. Please request one from our Visitor Services associates when you check in.

    For more information on how we can support your visit to the Getty Villa, learn about accessibility at Getty.

    Can’t make it?

    Shortly following this event, a recording will be available on Getty's YouTube channel under "Talks and Conversations."

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