Reviewed as of 28 September 2026.
A condition report describes the state of a work at a particular moment. It is used to make comparisons, plan conservation, organise loans and document damage. It does not certify authorship, value or provenance.
What it should identify
It includes the title or inventory number, technique, support, dimensions, location, date, the author of the report and photographs. The identification should make it possible to tell that piece apart from a similar one.
How to read it
Look for a description by area and layer: support, ground, surface, frame, mount, back and added elements. Distinguish between:
- stable alterations;
- active damage;
- previous interventions;
- surface dirt;
- distortions, cracks, losses or lifting;
- handling risks.
'Good condition' does not mean there have been no restorations. An old intervention may be stable; another may need monitoring.
Photographs
The images should be dated, legible and linked to the piece. Add general views and details. Comparing the images before and after a move helps to establish when damage appeared, although it does not replace other evidence.
What it does not prove
A condition report does not settle:
- authenticity;
- attribution;
- market value;
- ownership;
- the legal cause of the damage;
- the liability of a particular person.
When buying
Compare the report with the work and with the sale description. Ask about restorations, unstable materials and display conditions. If the value or fragility justifies it, commission an independent examination.
When lending
Approve an outgoing report, document the packing and sign off the comparison on arrival and on return. If a difference is found, do not handle the work more than necessary, keep the evidence and report the incident as required by the contract and the insurance policy.
Archive
Do not overwrite earlier reports. Keep each version with its date, photographs and author. The history lets you track changes and assess whether a problem is new, stable or recurring.
On the open conversation
Terminology and level of detail depend on the material and the professional. For complex works, consult a conservator-restorer.
If you spot an error, a broken link or a relevant change, write to me.