Authentication of Paintings

Paintings can be accurately authenticated through both forensic and stylistic analysis that renders subjective connoisseurship obsolete. Under the circumstances, this essay is only about a few of the many scientific tools available and how they can be used to authenticate paintings.

Forensic science studies anomalies in the chemical and physical composition of paintings. This includes the paint's ingredients, the chemical makeup of the canvas or panel, and markings that lie below the paint surface. Analysing such anomalies is critical to gaining understanding of the painting's composition, origin and age. For example, scientists may uncover a forged 16th century Titian painting it contains zinc-white paint.

Science studies art opposite the way that a connoisseur would. While the connoisseur generally tries to expand the opus of artwork, forensics aims to exclude forgeries. This sort of "guilty until innocent" approach that forensic science takes to art research is one whereby a work is not considered authentic until its attributes conform to set standards.

Forensic analysis also offers critical insights into a painting's style and physical composition. Even if a forged painting is made using authentic materials, forensics can reveal anomalies in its content or other features. For example, a forged Titian can be eliminated if the paint's copper content does not conform to established parameters, which is possible even if the forger had used the correct types