A scientific laboratory at the service of
art
The Museum laboratory’s mission is to improve existing scientific methods and
elaborate new methods for the ascertainment of the authenticity of art objects.
The laboratory’s instruments and knowhow for the determining of authenticity are
at the disposal of collectors, art experts, restorers, art galleries and
museums.
(The staff of the laboratory, who speaks
the main European languages, is at your disposal for any explanations).
A collection of art objects is generally an assortment of authentic items,
copies and fakes. Today, more than ever before,
buying art is considered also an investment for the future.
Therefore a determination of
authenticity by state-of-the-art scientific methods can offer every
collection a guarantee for the future and contribute to bringing transparency to
the market.
But there is an understandable tendency for dealers, including auctioneers and institutes at the service of the market, to be sceptical about the recent conquests of science in most cases.
The laboratory of the Museum of Art and
Science is a nonprofit facility and is independent from every point of view.
Tests carried out by the laboratory:
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Spectroscopic dating and characterization of wooden objects |
Microscopic tests on paintings, antique bronzes, excavated pottery etc. |
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Examination of underlying layers using infrared reflectography |
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Analyses of paint layers with a duroflexometer |
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Analyses with Wood’s light, UV and IR |
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FURTHER ANALYSES PERFORMED IN THE LABORATORY:
Spectroscopic chemical analyses
on pigments, glues, encrustations, patinas,
products of corrosion.
Scientific, practical and instrumental tests of authenticity on:
ivory, amber, archaeological glass,
pigments, metals, stones, carpets, tapestry, prints, books, clocks and
watches, china.
ADDITIONALLY, in the Museum rooms there are 9 interactive test stations at the disposal of vistors for simple tests for ascertaining the authenticity of antiques.
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test
station room 8: |
test
station room 9: |
identification of glues and other synthetic materials with Wood’s light |
test station room 9: examination with a magnifying glass of signs of wear and decorations on china |
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optical examination of signs of wear to identify an authentic piece of silverware |
shadow reveals industrial or handcrafted manufacture of glass |
the microscope distinguishes authentic patinas and encrustations from faked ones |
the dull sound of a porcelain item reveals hidden restoration work |
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For more information contact: |
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PRICES: the average cost of analyses is 75 Euro for each test; some tests are conclusive in telling fake and authentic items apart, such as wood dating and tests on the encrustations on pottery and bronzes. |
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OTHER SITES OF THE MUSEUM OF ART AND SCIENCE:
www.LeonardoDaVinciMilano.com - two permanent exhibitions: "Leonardo Citizen of Milan" and "Appreciating Art through the Eyes of Leonardo" from his "Treatise on Painting". (last update January 2006)
www.ArtAndScienceHandbook.com - The most complete and scientifically valid guide to ascertaining the authenticity of European and non-European antiques on an objective basis (540 pages and more than 2000 colour illustrations in 3 volumes and 3 languages)
www.Paintingsauthenticity.com -
A list of possible
methods for determining the authenticity of paintings based on objective
factors.
www.AntiqueFurnitureAuthenticity.com -
A list of possible
methods for determining the authenticity of furniture based on objective
factors.
www.Excavatedartauthenticity.com
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"A list of all the
possible ways of determining, on the basis of objective factors, the
authenticity of excavated pottery, glass or bronze items from Southern Italy,
the Mediterranean Basin, China and South America.".
(carried out on January 2006)
www.AfricanArtAuthenticity.com - "Art and Life in Black Africa", The African Art didactic section of the Museum (5 rooms and over 350 objects). (last update January 2006)
www.SpectroscopyforArt.com - Scientific method for the dating of the wood and identification of the wood type used for art objects. Determination of their authenticity through analysis of colours, binders, pigments and other organic substances. (last update January 2006)
www.C14spectrodating.com -
Spectroscopic
measurements complementing dating obtained with the C14 method that appears
uncertain or impossible.
www.DendroSpectroChronology.com - Spectroscopic measurements complementing the uncertain results of dendrochronological dating.
www.Matthaes.org -
The history of
the G. Matthaes Foundation
from the opening of the painting school
