Which statement best describes the function of a catalog raisonné in attribution and due diligence?

• A. It is a comprehensive scholarly listing used to verify attribution, provenance, and flag misattributions.
• B. It is an informal list of works with estimated values.
• C. It is a donor registry.
• D. It is a log of shipping records.

Answer: (A)

The main concept is that a catalog raisonné is the authoritative, scholarly listing of all known works by an artist, created to establish attribution and provenance and to flag misattributions. By compiling every documented work with detailed entries—titles, dates, medium, dimensions, current locations, exhibition history, bibliographic references, and notes on attribution—it provides a standards-based reference that researchers, museums, and collectors rely on for authentication and due diligence. This consolidated resource helps verify whether a work is truly by the artist, trace its ownership history, and identify any misattributions or forgeries, making it central to responsible collecting and handling.

It’s not an informal list of works with estimated values—that would be more like a market price guide. It’s also not a donor registry or a shipping-record log, which serve entirely different purposes.