Forensic Techniques Used to Authenticate Artwork

Art forgery is a thriving business.

​Art theft and art fraud have developed into an industry making millions of dollars. Investigating the structure and chemical composition of works for the purpose of authenticating them for museums, auction houses, the Department of Justice, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation and for insurance purposes. Microscopy, chemical analysis, and x-rays are some of the techniques used to identify fraudulant artwork.
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The New Yorker Magazine:  Telling a Masterpiece
The Observer:  Defamation Lawsuit on Art Forgery
Big Ink:  Forensics, Art & Democracy
National Geographic
FBI CRIME LAB DEVOTED TO ART
PBS- Mona Lisa's Smile