Literature: Germano Celant: “Piero Manzoni: Catalogo generale, Tomo secondo”, Skira Editore, Milan 2004, cat. no. 887 Provenance: Mrs. Anette Quist, who ran a gallery near Nikolaj Church in Copenhagen, close to the gallery of fluxus artist Arthur Köpcke (1928–1977). The certificate is probably issued in connection with the opening of Piero Manzoni's exhibition at Galerie Köpcke: “Artist Shit. Merda d'Artista. Künstlerscheisse. Merde d'Artist. Artist's Shit. Levende Kunstværk. Opere Vive. Lebendes Kunstwerk. Oeuvres Vivantes. Living Works of Piero Manzoni ”. At the same occasion both Arthur Köpcke (No. 056) and his wife Tut (No. 052) were certified as authentic works of art by Piero Manzoni. Provenance: Acquired directly from Anette Quist by the current owner.

Piero Manzoni is one of the most radical and innovative artists on the early 1960s international art scene. In 1961 he began producing his “Declarations of Autheticity”. By signing another person and issuing a certificate the person was named an authentic work of art by Piero Manzoni. The color of the marking label defines the scope of the certificate: “Each color - red, purple, yellow and green - fulfills a specific function. Red: The person is a work of art and will remain until his/her death. Purple: As red, but for a fee. Yellow: authenticity is limited to a specific part of the body, which is stated on the receipt. Green: the authenticity of art is only valid in a certain position or posture” (Celant p. 522).