Examination and analysis
Artlab’s conservators often work in collaboration with
curators, librarians and other experts to help determine the age
and provenance of an item.
For example, conservators may be able to identify certain pigments
used in an oil painting or watercolour by illuminating the work
with ultraviolet light. Identifying these pigments helps to determine
the age of a painting and can be useful when the authenticity
of an artwork is in doubt
Similar analytical techniques can be used to reveal inscriptions,
underdrawings and hidden structures that all help to confirm an
item’s provenance. This new information may affect the value
of your item.
Please contact Artlab if you are interested in utilising any
of Artlab’s examination and analytical services.
Examination techniques
Infrared
Illumination of an item under infrared light is often used to
detect under-drawings beneath watercolours and paintings. Sometimes
it is possible to read faded inscriptions when they are viewed
under infrared light.
Ultraviolet
Illumination of an item under ultraviolet light is frequently
used to locate areas of varnish and retouching on paintings. It
can also be used to identify some pigments – most commonly,
white pigments – which can help to date a painting.
X-ray
Photography of an item using X-rays can help determine the existence
and structure of metal supports within objects, and is often used
to detect under-layers or alterations that have been made to the
composition of paintings.
Examination using magnification
Viewing the surface of an item under strong magnification can
help to determine many things about the nature and condition of
an item. This technique is commonly used to help identify the
type of printing method used for works of art on paper, and for
fibre analysis of both textile and paper items.
Traditional photography
The condition of items before, during and after treatment
is photographed from all angles, including the reverse, providing
intriguing insights into an items history.
Transmitted light photography
By placing a light source underneath an item (for example, a sheet
of paper), characteristics of the item can be more easily observed
– for example, watermarks and other marks left by the papermaking
process can often be easily determined.
Raking
light photography
By placing the light source at an oblique angle to an item, surface
irregularities and characteristics can be seen more easily. This
can be useful to help identify printing techniques on paper items
and to determine the nature of the deterioration present.
Chemical
Analysis
A range of analytical chemistry techniques may be employed to
assess the chemical composition of objects prior to, during and
after treatment. Standard chemical tests are carried out in Artlab's
own laboratories. For more extensive or complex testing, samples
may be sent to specialist testing facilities.
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