As light meets matter, art under scrutiny

very similar to a Cézanne at Barnes Foundation

many of the same visual elements

characteristic of his constructivist phase

indistinguishable from other paintings of his

Composition of the painting matches that of pigments used during that period.

Absence of elements not available at the period

Emission spectra similar to authentic paintings

Detects elements in samples

reveals dates

reveals choice of pigments

reveals underdrawings

Fluorescence

reflects light off molecules

Absorption

excites molecules to higher energy states

Art Verification by artist

Uses historic context to determine reliability

needs extensive scientific analysis

has expertise in field

Appears to be prematurely conclusive

Art Verification by scientist

Combines scientific method and high technology

can misinterpret results due to lack of historical context

unlike historian, considers multiple possibilities to explain results

Scientists falsify one another's conclusions

constant state of progress

Scientific method supplements historian method

sometimes even after science results are inconclusive

Not dissimilar to helio/geo centric case

leap in technology can change facts and bring conclusion

Polyene UV absorbance of 0.6

Cadmium Yellow Lithopone pigment presence

Underdrawing (not characteristic of artist)

Animal Binder = late 19th Century

Visible Light

Reveals Colors

Radio Waves

Microwaves

Infrared

IR Spectroscopy

Suitable wavelength for further probing

Detects anomalies beneath paint by identifiing chemicals

Closest to visible light

Ultraviolet

Can reveal otherwise invisible details

UV Spectroscopy

Absorption

Reveals age of material based on absorption rate

Fluoroscence

Analyzes fluorescence of a sample

Cannot see above 50 microns

Wavelength is too big for further penetration

X-rays

Can see through larger layers

Fluorescence

Determines molecules based on the excitation levels

Gamma rays