Signatures, Marks, Inscriptions

Signed:  The artist/maker’s signature and accompaniments (date, title, edition number).  If work is not signed, leave field blank.

Inscription(s):  Any handwritten, cut, scratched, or otherwise inscribed text, picture, line, or symbol

Mark(s):  Any stamped, pressed, embossed, or pasted text or picture, including watermarks, manufacturer’s stamps, labels, and stickers.

location, medium: transcription [if applicable, a translation or description]

or

location, medium: description


General Guidelines:

  • Transcribe all text as written. Do not correct misspellings and note illegible markings as [illegible], not misspellings at the end of the transcription with [sic] to indicate the misspelling is not a transcription typo.
  • Each mark, signature, or inscription is recorded on its own line, with no extra line between multiple items.
  • Add notes in brackets, including citations of watermark references
  • For marks and inscriptions on the verso, include the support (stretcher, canvas, frame, etc)
  • Do not abbreviate location, see reference chart below 


Location grid

u.l.
(upper left)

u.c.
(upper center)

u.r.
(upper right)

c.l.
(center left)

c.
(center)

c.r.
(center right)

l.l.
(lower left)

l.c.
(lower center)

l.r.
(lower right)

Examples:

Signed: upper left: R. CORONEL 56

Signed: lower right, in conte crayon: R. Anguiano 1963

Signed: verso of right panel, on stretcher, in black ink: Rachel Hecker 1988

Mark(s): center right, watermark: [crown]

Marks(s): printer’s chop: [fox]

Mark(s): lower center, stamped in red ink, collector’s mark: F [image of owl] B [Lugt 977 and 978]

Inscription(s): lower left, in graphite: C17

lower right, in graphite: 204

verso upper left, in graphite: [ no. 24]

Inscription(s): verso upper center, in graphite: II88

verso lower center, in graphite: dev. 88II

Inscription(s): verso, on canvas, in black paint: BL0198 / Bert / 9-18-85 and PRESERVERANC [sic]