The Metropolitan Museum of Art, a renowned cultural institution, has taken a crucial step towards ensuring the integrity and authenticity of its vast collection by appointing Lucian Simmons as its head of provenance research. This new position, established in May 2025, marks a significant shift in the museum’s approach to addressing concerns surrounding looted objects and questionable acquisitions.
As the Met’s chief provenance researcher, Simmons is tasked with rectifying past mistakes, preventing future errors, and safeguarding the institution’s reputation for excellence in scholarship. With a wealth of experience in art history and museum studies, Simmons brings a unique combination of skills to this critical role.
The Met’s collection comprises over 2 million works of art, with many pieces acquired through complex transactions spanning centuries. The challenge for Simmons lies in the intricate web of provenance, verifying the ownership history and cultural context of each object.
Simmons will work closely with curators, conservators, and other experts to develop a comprehensive understanding of each object’s history. He will also engage with international authorities, law enforcement agencies, and cultural institutions to verify the provenance of newly acquired pieces.
A recent study by the Art Loss Register found that 1 in 5 artworks sold at auction between 2010 and 2020 had questionable provenance. This statistic underscores the importance of Simmons’ role in ensuring the Met’s collection is free from looted or stolen objects.
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