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Canonical Markdown source · Jul 6, 2026

Linked Art API: People

linked-art/api/people.md · 62 lines · SHA-256 00141f499e00

Last refreshed: 2026-07-06

Source: People endpoint, part of Linked Art API 1.0, published under CC BY 4.0. This is a project summary; the upstream page is authoritative.

Purpose

The Person endpoint describes people, living or dead. This includes artists, collectors, curators, conservators, museum staff, and other people who perform professional or historical activities on or using works of art.

The endpoint is similar to the Group endpoint, but person lifecycle events use `Birth` and `Death`.

Required Shape

A Person endpoint record dereferences to one JSON-LD object:

  • `@context`: Linked Art context URI, or an array ending with that URI for extensions.
  • `id`: dereferenceable HTTP(S) URI for the person.
  • `type`: `Person`.
  • `_label`: developer-facing label.
  • `classified_as`: classifications following the `Type` structure, such as gender, nationality, or occupation terms.
  • `identified_by`: `Name` and/or `Identifier` structures.

Optional Fields

  • `referred_to_by`: statements about the person, such as biography statements.
  • `equivalent`: external identities.
  • `representation`: visual works representing the person.
  • `member_of`: group membership.
  • `subject_of`: textual works focused on the person.
  • `attributed_by`: relationship assignment evidence.
  • `contact_point`: addresses or contact identifiers.
  • `residence`: associated place.
  • `carried_out`: professional activities of the person.
  • `participated_in`: events or activities in which the person participated but was not responsible.
  • `born`: `Birth` event for the person.
  • `died`: `Death` event for the person.

Common Incoming Relationships

  • `carried_out_by` from activities.
  • `current_owner`, `current_custodian`, and `current_permanent_custodian` from object records.
  • `represents` from visual works.
  • `about` from textual works.
  • `transferred_custody_to` and `transferred_custody_from` from provenance activities.
  • `transferred_title_to` and `transferred_title_from` from provenance activities.
  • `paid_to` and `paid_from` from provenance payment activities.

Meta Museum Notes

Meta Museum already exposes people through `/api/agents/{id}` and preserves rich `Person` records through `/api/records/{id}`. Existing actor tests cover name parts, authority `equivalent[]`, group membership, `contact_point`, residence places, `born`, `died`, professional `carried_out` activity, burial or other `participated_in` activity, biography statements, and typed nationality/gender/occupation classifications.

Test Ideas

  • Keep `/api/agents/{id}` role coverage aligned with both `Person` and `Group`.
  • Preserve a `Person` fixture with `born`, `died`, `contact_point`, `residence`, `carried_out`, `participated_in`, `member_of`, `equivalent`, and typed classifications.
  • Preserve incoming provenance references to people for title transfer, custody transfer, and payment without flattening them into labels.
  • Ensure gender, nationality, and occupation stay `classified_as` terms rather than custom person subclasses.