Cataloguing Terms For Works Of Art

1. Thomas Gainsborough: A work catalogued with the name(s) or recognised designation of an artist, without any qualification, is, in the opinion of the cataloguer, a work by the artist. When the artist's forename(s) is(are) not known, a series of asterisks, followed by the surname of the artist, indicates that in the opinion of the cataloguer, the work is by the artist named.
2. Attributed to Thomas Gainsborough: In the opinion of the cataloguer, probably a work by the artist in whole or in part.
3. Studio of Thomas Gainsborough/Workshop of Thomas Gainsborough: In the opinion of the cataloguer, a work by an unknown hand in the studio or workshop of the artist, which may or may not have been executed under the artist's direction.
4. Circle of Thomas Gainsborough: In the opinion of the cataloguer, a work of the period of the artist, showing his influence, by an unknown hand, not necessarily his pupil, but closely associated with the named artist.
5. Style of/Follower of Thomas Gainsborough: In the opinion of the cataloguer, a work by a painter working in the artist's style, contemporary or nearly contemporary, but not necessarily his pupil.
6. Manner of Thomas Gainsborough: In the opinion of the cataloguer a work in the style of the artist but of a later date.
7. After Thomas Gainsborough: In the opinion of the cataloguer a copy (of any date) of a known work of the artist.
8. The terms signed, dated, inscribed mean that in the opinion of the cataloguer the signature/date/inscription is by the hand of the artist. The addition of a question mark indicates an element of doubt.
9. The terms bears a signature, bears a date, bears an inscription or with signature, with date, with inscription mean that in the opinion of the cataloguer, the signature/date/inscription is by a hand other than that of the artist.
10. References to signature, inscriptions and dates refer to the present state of the work.
11. Dimensions are normally given 'height by width'.
12. Dimensions of 3 dimensional works are normally given 'height by width by depth'.

Statements offered as to authorship, attribution, origin, date, age and condition of a work of art are statements of opinion and should not be taken as statements of fact.