The Department of Culture under the Ministry of Youth, Culture and Communication has launched ander.ma, a digital platform dedicated to documenting, tracing and verifying the originality and authenticity of artworks.
The initiative is part of the digital transformation of the cultural sector and aims to protect artistic creation while combating forgery, illicit circulation and the sale of counterfeit artworks.
A documentary database
Based on artists’ direct contributions, ander.ma will enable visual artists and creators to build a documentary record of their works.
The platform will allow users to upload photographs of paintings, sculptures, installations and digital creations, along with supporting documents such as exhibition catalogues, posters, invitations and press articles.
By bringing together these materials, the platform seeks to create a reference database that can be consulted for cross-checking purposes during transactions, exhibitions or the issuance of certificates of authenticity.
Strengthening traceability
By linking each artwork to photographs and references certified by the artist, ander.ma will provide art galleries, auction houses and sector professionals with a tool to support artistic appraisal.
The platform is intended to facilitate the verification of artworks, particularly during sales, exhibitions and inheritance procedures.
An alert mechanism
To help prevent the circulation of suspicious artworks, the platform includes a mechanism for reporting works suspected of being forged, counterfeit or illicitly reproduced.
These reports may lead to a further review based on the available archives. However, the ministry underlines that ander.ma is a preventive and verification-support tool and does not replace the scientific, technical or judicial expertise that may be required.
An evolving platform
As the platform is gradually enriched, its effectiveness is expected to increase through artists’ contributions and the modernization of its tools.
Through this initiative and the strengthening of the legal framework on copyright, the Department of Culture seeks to establish a climate of trust, protect artists and rights holders, and enhance transparency in the art market.
A collaborative initiative
The launch of the platform follows recommendations issued during working sessions held in 2024 and 2025 at the headquarters of the Public Prosecutor’s Office, with the participation of the Department of Culture, the National Foundation of Museums, the Ministry of Justice, the General Secretariat of the Government, the High Council of the Judiciary, art professionals and other partner institutions.
