U74.175 Fakebusters: Scientific Authentication of Art Objects and Artifacts
Description:
Scientific Authentication of Art Objects and Artifacts looks at the way scientists determine the history of objects. How do archaeologists find out the age of artifacts that they find? How can museums determine which pieces of art and other artifacts such as bones are fakes or real? Given the huge prices paid for art and archaeological artifacts, fakers can make a fortune selling forgeries. Some authentic pieces are heavily restored or touched up. Is a $20,000 chalk and ink portrait a previously unknown DaVinci? How did the St. Louis Art Museum and Washington University uncover forged Central American ceramic sculptures at the St. Louis Art Museum? Examples covered include the Vinland Map, Piltdown Man, the dinosaur Sue at the Field Museum, multimillion dollar marble Getty Kuoros sculpture, forged Vermeer paintings bought by Herman Goering, currency forgery, distinguishing mined diamonds from synthetic and, the Shroud of Turin.