Richmond Leader

The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts (VMFA) has appointed Karen Daly as its first Senior Manager of Provenance Research, effective March 10, 2025. This newly created position underscores the museum's commitment to tracing the ownership history of its more than 50,000 objects.

Director and CEO Alex Nyerges highlighted the museum's dedication, stating, "The creation of this new full-time position at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts demonstrates our commitment to proactively researching the provenance of the more than 50,000 objects in our collection and sharing this information with the public. We are delighted that Karen will lead this important effort."

Daly, with over 25 years of museum collections management and registration experience, has served VMFA as both the senior registrar for exhibitions and a part-time provenance specialist. She is recognized for her contributions to the 2005 publication "Vitalizing Memory: International Perspectives in Provenance Research" and her participation in the 2017 German and American Provenance Research Exchange Program. Daly expressed her enthusiasm for the role, saying, "I am grateful to be able to bring my institutional history to this new role. My varied experience with VMFA’s wonderful encyclopedic collection has prepared me to focus on provenance research."

In her new role, Daly will coordinate with key staff, including Dr. Michael Taylor, Artistic Director and Chief Curator of VMFA, and other museum curators. She will oversee provenance research on the museum’s permanent collection and identify research priorities, as well as engage in national and international networks. Daly will be responsible for addressing restitution claims and increasing public access to provenance data on the museum's website.

Dr. Taylor praised Daly, remarking, "Karen Daly is an internationally recognized expert in provenance research, cultural property, repatriation and restitution. She will advance the museum’s provenance and restitution efforts, ensuring that provenance-related best practices are integrated throughout the institution in agreement with national and international guidelines and VMFA’s mission."

Provenance research is crucial for ensuring lawful and rightful ownership of museum objects, forming an integral part of curatorial research. The VMFA follows guidelines by the American Association of Museum Directors and the American Alliance of Museums, focusing on objects created before 1946 that may have been looted during the Nazi era. The museum has previously resolved four related claims. VMFA also repatriates archaeological and ancient art, following its compliance with the updated Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act of 2024.

The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, a comprehensive art museum in Richmond, collects, preserves, and exhibits art while encouraging its study. It offers a variety of exhibitions and has substantial holdings, including a renowned Fabergé collection and notable American art collections.

For more information, the VMFA invites the public to visit their website or contact them directly.