Fakes, Forgeries and the Future

Francis EastaughGeneral Manager (UK)Art Analysis and Research

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What can art forensics do for

you?

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20 – 50% of the artworks in the worldare fakes, forgeries, mistaken identifications, or unknowns

Art Market Risk

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Typical means for authentication and attribution:

• Provenance which suffers from incomplete and scattered sources

• Connoisseurship which is subjective and vulnerable to litigation risk

Lack of Tools and Methods

Knoedler Gallery

Largest modern forgery case – 2011 to

2016

• Modern and Post War Paintings

• Manufactured Provenance

• Works sold for up to $17M5

Wolfgang Beltracchi

Most financially successful forger in history

• Technically sophisticated forgeries

• Forged provenance

• Real certificates of authenticity6

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Two Paintings

One Original

Double Trouble

Finding Lost Treasure

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Visible Light

TransmittedLight

Traced Image of

Underdrawing

Artist’sSketch Book

Increase in value of over 100x due to proper attribution

Due Diligence Best Practices

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What is Art Forensics?

Art forensics is the use of scientific tools to understand the creation and condition of art objects.

Key components:

• Materials Analysis

• Technical Imaging

• Data Analytics

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Material Science

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Determining the materials present

Technical Imaging

Visible

InfraredUltraviolet

X-ray

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Ultra-High Resolution Imaging

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Record and Track Condition

Assess Damage Post Loss

Data Analytics

Key tools:

• Pigment database

• Artist’s technique database

• Image database

• Automated reporting

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Art Forensics Buyers Guide

Find A Laboratory That…

• Does this work routinely

• Used by major institutions

• Independent

• Offers full confidentiality

• Cost not tied to value of the object

Report Should Demonstrate…

• Database of materials and techniques

• Clear explanation of process and results

• Results in commercial and art historical context

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Pre-Risk

• Higher levels of transactional due diligence

• Art forensics as a routine element of due diligence

• High resolution imaging for condition documentation

• Better risk assessment for authenticity issues

Post Loss

• Condition tracking to pinpoint time and extent of

damage

• Forensic testing to show how damage occurred

The Future