Dulwich Picture Gallery Due Diligence Policy
(revised May 23 2008)
National & International Standards
Dulwich Picture Gallery’s due diligence policy for objects on
loan from abroad to temporary exhibitions is in accordance with all
relevant national and international standards, including the
following:
• Statement of Principles issued by the National Museum Directors
Conference on “spoliation of works of art during the Holocaust and
World War II period” in 1998;
• Combating Illicit Trade: Due Diligence Guidelines for Museums,
Libraries and Archives on collecting and borrowing Cultural
Material (DCMS, October 2005);
• UNESCO 1970 Convention on the Means of Prohibiting and Preventing
the Illicit Import, Export and Transfer of Cultural Property;
• ICOM Code of Ethics;
• SPECTRUM: UK Documentation Standard for Museums;
• Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild
Fauna and Flora;
• ICOM red list.
Responsibilty
The Dulwich Picture Gallery due diligence policy and procedures
are adhered to and carried out by all members of the Exhibitions
Department in conjunction with the exhibition Curator(s). Overall
responsibility for supervising the due diligence procedures lies
with the Director.
Procedure
Full provenance information is requested of the Lender for each
object coming to Dulwich Picture Gallery and is assessed by the
Exhibitions department staff for any missing or suspect
information. In cases where the Lender is unable to provide a
complete provenance, the exhibition Curator(s) would be consulted
and would in turn contact other scholars and experts in the
relevant field. Should the provenance still be incomplete, the
Exhibitions department will contact the Art Loss Register and other
art loss databases.
Dulwich Picture Gallery will not proceed with any loans with
questionable provenance. Particular attention is paid to the period
1933 – 1945.
Loan & Due Diligence documentation
Dulwich Picture Gallery’s loan agreement form requires the
Lender to confirm their legitimate acquisition, legal ownership and
lawful ability to lend the Object, as well as to confirm the
provenance to the best of their knowledge and that no outstanding
or potential third party claims of ownership are in existence. When
asked to use another museum or gallery’s loan documentation,
Dulwich Picture Gallery will carefully evaluate it to ensure it
complies with all national and international standards. Should
these be met, Dulwich Picture Gallery will give the lending
institution’s form pre-eminence but require the signature of
Dulwich Picture Gallery’s loan agreement form to ensure that the
Lender has read and agreed to the above terms regarding legal
ownership and provenance.
All records of due diligence checks are retained within the
confidential exhibition files for a minimum of six years as
standard.
If you have a query or require further information
please contact
the Exhibitions Department.