raisonné

Raisonné is a French term that translates to "reasoned" or "justified." In art history, a catalogue raisonné is a comprehensive scholarly compilation of all the known works of an artist. It aims to present a definitive and authoritative list of an artist's oeuvre, including paintings, sculptures, drawings, prints, and sometimes even architectural works. Each entry in a catalogue raisonné typically provides detailed information about the artwork, such as its title, date of creation, medium, dimensions, provenance (history of ownership), exhibition history, and any relevant scholarly commentary or literature.

The preparation of a catalogue raisonné is a meticulous and time-consuming process undertaken by art historians and scholars. They conduct extensive research, examining original artworks, historical documents, exhibition records, and previous scholarship. The goal is to authenticate each work and to distinguish between original creations, workshop productions, copies, and forgeries. A well-executed catalogue raisonné serves as an indispensable reference tool for collectors, dealers, curators, art historians, and students, contributing significantly to the understanding and appreciation of an artist's career and artistic development. It is considered a cornerstone of art historical scholarship.