[MSN] Art Authentication - The Forensic Way

Sat Oct 21 15:31:15 CEST 2006

________________________________

From: Sugunsekhar Cheyyur [mailto:bpc_hyd at rediffmail.com] 
Sent: 20 October 2006 10:10
To: i.matias at interpol.int; iccrom at iccrom.org; imbot at cal2.vsnl.net.in;
info at officezone.com; info at abcoffice.com; info at delhitesthouse.com;
info at microsolpower.com; info at bodhiart.in; info at museum-security.org;
info at ifcpp.org; infracam at prime-pci.com
Subject: {Spam?} Art Authentication - The Forensic Way

Dear friend,

Please find as attachments the following.

1) Art Authentication - The Forensic Way 

SEKURIT-BRAND PROTECTION CELL                       OCT. 2006-NEWS LETTER

ART AUTHENTICATION --- THE  FORENSIC  WAY

(To prevent theft, forgery and illegal trafficking of cultural objects)

THE PROBLEM, TODAY, IN THE INDIAN ART MART

Easy availability of high resolution scanners, software and high tech.
digital printers at a low cost, aids the forger to copy original art onto
paper or even canvas. These copies are used for substitution and theft in
institutions or sold as original art. Online galleries and auction houses
like e-bay are used by the criminal to pass off copied art as originals.

In today's world "ANYTHING WHICH IS VISIBLE TO THE HUMAN EYE CAN BE AND WILL
BE COPIED".

THE SOLUTION TO THIS PROBLEM IS ART AUTHENTICATION USING FORENSICS:

a)      For easy identification, Invisible markings like Finger Prints,
Logos and signatures can be encrypted on to the art. This methodology is in
practice in the LOUVRE museum, France, in their art conservation department
and also recommended by International Investigative agencies like Interpol,
Europol.

b)      For confirmation of forgery or theft, the following methods based on
Forensic science and technology can be applied.

1)      X-RADIOGRAPHY-Dental X-rays of human skeletal remains when checked
with the dentist's database, have solved many crimes, once the identity of
the dead person has been established. X-ray images clearly reveal the inside
picture of a metal or wooden object. This X-ray image is not seen or known
to the forger. The x-ray image can be used for authenticating originality or
ownership.

2)      INFRA RED IMAGING-The image obtained by Infra red radiation of a
painting 

Or metal icon is akin to finger printing of the original. When the Infra red
Image of a suspected forged item is compared with the Infra red image of the
original in the data base it will reveal the true picture about the
ownership and also originality. The Infra red image is not visible to the
human eye and hence it is an excellent tool for authentication.

3)      HIGH RESOLUTION SCANNING OF ART WORKS-today, many collectors /
artists keep photographs of the art works in their database, for future
reference in case of theft or forgery. Photography of art works is allowed
in museums and galleries. Hence photographs are easily available to every
body. Photographs are susceptible to manipulation. It is impossible for a
forger to obtain a high resolution scanned image of an exhibited art work.
High resolution scanning is akin to Finger printing of art work. Scanned
images are much superior to photographs, when it comes to a study of  a)
Brush strokes b) colour  c)opacity  d) cracks and crevices due to ageing  e)
Inherent defects etc.

"THE ARTIST HIMSELF CANNOT DUPLICATE HIS ORIGINAL WORK".

4)      MICROSCOPY-Images of wooden / ivory items obtained by microscopy
methods will reveal concentric circles / serrations. This is again like
finger printing of a wooden / ivory art works. The images can be used as a
tool for authentication.

           DATABASE - The information in the database should be as per the
norms set by       

           "THE GETTY INFORMATION INSTITUTE, U.S.A."

          OBJECT TYPE (INFO.)                                      SUBJECT
TYPE (INFO.)

          1. Medium/materials/techniques                           1. Title
of the object.

          2. Measurements
2. Date / period / style.

          3. Inscriptions / markings                                     3.
Makers name.

          4. Distinguishing features                                     4.
Description

5. Images.

     Under (3) Inscriptions / markings                          Under (5)
Images. The images

     The invisible markings in the art                             obtained
by X- radiography, Infra red

     Work can be recorded in the                                radiation,
high resolution scanning,

     Database. The identification
microscopy and Metallography etc.

     Methods can also be recorded.                             can be
Recorded in the database.

In case of theft or forgery of art works, when Interpol, Europol etc. are
alerted, these organizations keep a watch on online sales / auctions and
auctions by galleries. In case of theft or suspected forgery the images and
information recorded in the Database can be    e-mailed to Interpol, Europol
etc. to enable them to stop an auction or sale and take the art work in
their custody.

If no authentic information is made available to them, it becomes very
difficult to Prove the crime and pin the criminal. Due to lack of authentic
proof the criminal comes out on bail and then jumps bail. It should be noted
that stolen / forged art works will not be returned to the complainant
unless he is able to provide authentic proof of  ownership or originality.

The need of the day is a Govt. sponsored organization to carry out the work
of authen-tication and database management. This effective system and the
Forensic way of Authentication will go a long way to prevent theft, forgery
and illegal trafficking of our valuable cultural objects. Let us preserve
our culture and heritage.

P. Sugunasekhar

The author of this article is :

   1)  Member, expert panel of authenticators of the NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF
         SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY AND DEVELOPMENT STUDIES, NEW DELHI.
         This institute is a corollary of CSIR.

   2)  Member of THE INDIAN ASSOCIATION FOR THE STUDY OF
         CONSERVATION OF CULTURAL PROPERTY.

   3)  Technical Director, SEKURIT-BRAND PROTECTION CELL (P) LTD.

   4)  Prop. CLASSICAL INDIAN ART GALLERY.

Your comments and SUGGESTIONS will help us to further refine the system and
technologies proposed by us.

Address:  122-A, East Marredpally, Secunderabad - 500 026. INDIA.

              Ph. +91-40-27732130,  65644872.

E-mail :    bpc_hyd at rediffmail.com.

               psugunasekhar at rediffmail.com