New chapter on provenance research in the CPGA Code of Ethics
Press release

The Code of Ethics of the Comité Professionnel des Galeries d’Art, which has existed since the 1990s, has been designed as a living, evolving tool that reflects the challenges facing the gallery profession. It serves as a guide to good practice and is also useful to the entire ecosystem. It was redesigned in 2016 under the chairmanship of Georges-Philippe Vallois with the help of gallery owners and a number of specialist lawyers, and has since been regularly updated with new articles reflecting developments in the profession. In 2019, it will include an addendum on environmental responsibility.

In recent years, the growing number of cases involving the restitution of property looted during the Holocaust and the revelation of the problems of archaeological looting and illicit exports, particularly in conflict zones, have highlighted the importance of the issue of the provenance and traceability of works of art.

Against this backdrop, galleries recognise the key role that their trade plays in the transfer of cultural goods, and have a duty to step up their vigilance regarding the provenance of works of art.

It is for this reason that the CPGA has endeavoured to formalise this necessary vigilance as a work ethic for the entire profession by inserting a new chapter in its Code of Ethics for Art Galleries devoted to provenance research.

With this new chapter, the Committee is seeking the commitment of all its members on this subject, positioning itself as a pioneering player and committing itself to the issue of the traceability of works of art, which will benefit all players in the art market.