A new approach
The scientific identification of pictorial artwork
Our approach, initially identical to that of other laboratories, was designed to achieve non-destructive diagnosis of the painting's condition, some "condition reports" very elaborated. Since 1994, we have quickly understood the need to create a laboratory able to develop a new concept of scientific exploration enabling precise identification of works of art.
In this spirit, we first developed two concepts.
"FABER" set of protocols and tools exploring the work's construction technique.
"Sapiens" set of protocols and tools, exploring the iconography, and perspectives that can be superimposed in a work of art.
It is the synthesis of these two approaches we operate and develop today.
The integration of the FABER and SAPIENS concepts into a general principle of scientific identification allows us to understand:
- Differentiation of contributors (who did what, when, where) on painting
- The genesis of the work (preparatory drawing; paint layers; overpaints and restorations)
-The precise location of the constituent information of the work (iconographic; temporal and physical)
These information, compared to the taste and identified method of an artist are a set of objective proof of the identity of the work studied.
We cannot authenticate an art work; but we can give to the art historian some very precise identifications that can help him to authenticate the artwork.
It happened that some mannerisms or habits observed in a painting had not been identified by experts.
With our method, the entire thickness of the work can be explored with unparalleled accuracy, whatever the nature of the materials used:
Because our treatments mix more than 15 images taken in over 11 different wavelengths from infrared to X-rays.
Because Dynamic Images have a comparable colorimetry each other and with the visible image of the subject.
Because all optical or microscopic examination are subject to a topographic location.
We have developed three types of tools:
1. Exploration and treatment protocols
* Iconographic comparisons
(Drawings, engravings. Copies, variants)
* Digital reconstruction
* Perspective correction
* Signature Exams
* Preparatory drawing Visualization
(Even if they are under the gesso)
* Labelling and statistical studies
2. expanded examinations
* Infrared Luminescence
* Radiography Infrared
* Examination under pure Ultraviolet
* Sodium Fluorescence
* Digital X-Ray
* Surface Microscopy
3. "DYNAMIC IMAGES"
(Patent)
* Combinations of images
* Calculations between pictures
