A label is a snapshot
Museum labels condense attribution, date, place, materials and acquisition into a small space. They are valuable research tools, but they also reflect the terminology and evidence available at a particular moment.
Digital records can change as provenance research, conservation study and community consultation add information. We link directly to records so readers can see the current wording.
Named histories matter
The pendant mask of Ìyọ́bà Idià is tied to a named royal history in Benin. Presenting it as a generic decorative face would remove the person, court and political world that give the portrait meaning.
Ownership histories also require scrutiny. We do not treat open-access photography as proof that an underlying cultural object is free of ethical or restitution questions.