Tech Challenge

Real or Phony: Analyzing Artwork for Authenticity

A recently discovered painting signed by a famous 20th century artist was donated to a museum. Found in an attic, its authenticity is in question. Museum executives need a lab to identify the paint and varnish layers as part of the authentication process. The analysis can then be compared to known paintings by the same artist. If they match, this would provide concrete evidence that the painting is not a hoax.

Which of the following technologies would be the best for this purpose?

A. An FT-IR Spectrometer, such as the Thermo Scientific Nicolet iS5 (83008-06)

B. A UV-Vis Spectrometer, such as the Cole-Parmer® Scanning Spectrophotometer (83057-80)

C. An Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer

D. A Color Meter

Answers:

A. An FT-IR Spectrometer, such as the Thermo Scientific Nicolet iS5 (83008-06)
Correct! This spectrometer can analyze samples of the paint in the far infrared spectrum, which is ideal for identifying both paints and varnishes with high specificity (especially those developed in the 20th century).

B. A UV-Vis Spectrometer, such as the Cole-Parmer® Scanning Spectrophotometer (83057-80)
Incorrect. Visible and UV wavelengths are able to provide (at best) a basic categorical identification of the paints and varnishes, but nothing more specific than that.

C. An Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer
Incorrect. This type of spectrometer is designed for elemental analysis, not molecular or compound analysis.

D. A Color Meter
Incorrect. This meter can analyze the color of the paint, but cannot provide identification of the molecular components. Also, it cannot provide any information on the varnish used.