| The signature has particular importance in art. To sign | | | | more than in other areas. One can understand that |
| a work of art means literally apposing ones name on | | | | some artists abstain from signing a work that is felt as |
| its material appearance, traditionally this is done in | | | | not having reached achievement. Some, not lucid about |
| handwriting and in accordance with a model grown | | | | their dissatisfaction, spend years adding to or modifying |
| more or less permanent and unique to each individual. | | | | before finally making up their mind. The signature has |
| As a natural extension, the notion of signature is used | | | | thus tremendous importance for a work of art, not |
| to name the whole of the characteristics of method | | | | only in assigning authorship, but more poignantly in that |
| and result emanating from unsigned works and that | | | | of announcing achievement. A signature is the artist's |
| contribute to their attribution. Even factually unsigned | | | | spontaneous clearance, given after satisfaction. |
| works carry the figurative signature of their | | | | Take thus an unsigned work, to all appearances |
| makerthrough their unique characteristics. But besides | | | | finished; is there reason to think that the artist wasn't |
| the proprietary and attributable rights claimed or given, | | | | happy with his act? This is an altogether valid |
| the factual presence of the signature often tells us | | | | presumption; exception made for authors that |
| more about the artwork itself. | | | | deliberately don't sign and of course for artwork of |
| The signature is a seal signaling veracity of agreement. | | | | trivial or sketchy nature. |
| By apposing his signature, the signatory assumes | | | | An elaborate but unsigned work not only raises |
| responsibility. Whatever the context, a signature | | | | questions about its attribution or the maker's idea of its |
| presumes, in one way or other, an accomplishment. | | | | state of achievement, but also on the author's own |
| The signature comes after the final touch. Something | | | | final judgment. Independently of the certainty or the |
| unfinished is not signed. For any maker, the moment of | | | | uncertainty about an attribution, a work not signed is a |
| signing is decisive, sometimes difficult. In art maybe | | | | work whose value will weigh lighter on the art market. |