25 Years of Provenance Research

DR. KATJA TERLAU

Katja Terlau studied art history, classical archaeology, prehistory and early history, history, and folklore in Münster.
She completed her studies with a Magister in 1995 and earned her doctorate in 1998 at the University of Cologne, Department of Architectural History at the Institute of Art History.

From 1999 to 2003, as part of a museum assistantship, she conducted her first provenance research for the Wallraf-Richartz-Museum – Fondation Corboud in Cologne, commissioned by the City of Cologne and the Sal. Oppenheim Foundation.

In 2000, she initiated a working meeting of four female researchers in Cologne, thereby becoming the founder of what later became the international working group Arbeitskreis Provenienzforschung e.V.

In 2001, Katja Terlau conceived and organized the first international conference in Germany on the topic “Museums in Twilight: Acquisition Policies 1933–1945” in Cologne.

As an independent art historian, she has since investigated the origins and whereabouts of works of art and cultural property in Germany and beyond.
She researches the provenance of art collections and advises public institutions, private collections, and media on Nazi-looted art. Owing to her expertise, network, and track record, she enjoys the trust of numerous private and public clients internationally.

From 2014 to 2020 she was a lecturer in provenance research at the University of Cologne, Institute of Art History, in the field of art market studies.

In 2021 she was awarded the Cross of Merit on Ribbon of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany for her special services and outstanding commitment to provenance research.

Today, thanks to her many years of work for renowned museums and important collections as well as numerous research projects, Dr. Katja Terlau is among the most experienced provenance researchers.

Since 1999, as an independent art historian, she has been researching the origins and whereabouts of art and cultural property in Germany and abroad. She analyzes the provenance of art collections and provides advice on unresolved ownership issues.

Because of her expertise, network, and achievements, she enjoys the trust of numerous private and public clients.

Services provided by the office include

Provenance research

• Origins and whereabouts of artworks.
• Initial provenance check.
• Reconstruction of art collections.
• Clarification of ownership and possession.
• Identification of looted art.

Consulting

• Unresolved ownership issues concerning art and cultural property.
• Handling of Nazi-looted art, war loot, and “Degenerate Art.”