What best describes provenance risk in an art acquisition?

• A. Location of the work at the time of purchase.
• B. Frames and matting chosen for display.
• C. Gaps or questionable ownership history that could affect authenticity or title.
• D. The artist's popularity.

Answer: (C)

Provenance risk is about the documented history of ownership and how it affects authenticity and title. The best description is gaps in that ownership history or questionable records about who actually owned or held legal title to the work. Such uncertainties can cast doubt on whether the work is genuine, properly attributed, or legally transferable, which in turn impacts value, insurance, and future resale. Other factors like where the work was located at purchase, or the framing and display choices, don’t directly influence the ownership or authenticity of the work, so they don’t capture provenance risk.