provenance

noun

prov·​e·​nance ˈpräv-nən(t)s 

ˈprä-və-ˌnän(t)s

1

: origin, source

2

: the history of ownership of a valued object or work of art or literature

Examples of provenance in a Sentence

Has anyone traced the provenances of these paintings?

The artifact is of unknown provenance.

Recent Examples on the Web

Specifications, materials, provenance, policies and reviews need to be structured and verifiable, not buried in marketing copy. — Haozhuang Dai, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026

The museum, which is located in Vienna, received the painting as a gift from the collector Richard Lieben with no information about the work’s early provenance. — News Desk, Artforum, 21 Aug. 2026

Given that characterization, Giacometti-heads will likely fork over serious dough for this work, especially given its provenance. — Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 19 Aug. 2026

No need to get bogged down in questions about provenance, artfulness, long-form storytelling, or even metaphors. — Robin Givhan, Vanity Fair, 19 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

French, from provenir to come forth, originate, from Latin provenire, from pro- forth + venire to come — more at pro-, come

First Known Use

1785, in the meaning defined at sense 1