MODIGLIANI, WHAT ELSE? M. F. Alberghina1, E. Massa2, A. Pelagotti3, S. Schiavone1

1S.T.Art-Test, Italy, www.start-test.it 2Art-Test Florence – Italy, www.art-test.com 3CNR - Istituto Nazionale di Ottica, www.ino.it

A Copy? A Fake? A Painting In Style Of? .. Or An Original?

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16

0

10000

20000

30000

40000

50000

60000

70000

Mn

K

P K

Ba L

Ca

K

S K

Pb L

Fe

K

Ba L

Zn

K

Zn K

Pb L

Inte

nsity (

cou

nts

)

keV

P3

Ca K

Fe

K

Pb L

21 22 23 24 25 26 270

100

200

300

400

500

600

Cd

K

Cd

K

IR reflectography: No traces of underdrawing, however evidence of some corrections in the composition; UV fluorescence : Evidences of hidden layer(s), exhibiting different materials. Evidences of the strive to improve final composition Xrays : Several layers of different materials are identified. Dissimilar underlying compositions are present. All resemble Modigliani’ style and technique. Macro imaging : Evidences of several layers of colors. Evidences of natural aging. XRF : All pigments found are compatible with those known to have been used by Modigliani and his contemporaries (1884-1920). Evidences of a complex stratigraphy

THE DATA OBTAINED SO FAR OBEY THE “NIHIL OBSTAT” PRINCIPLE: WHAT NEXT?

Scientific Input to

Connoisseurship

COST-EFFECTIVE APPROACH for ADVANCED DOCUMENTATION

Which scientific examination techniques should be used? Rationale • Identifying a fake and establishing authenticity are not necessarily the same thing. • A cost effective approach should be offered for an affordable pathway to customers. • A non invasive approach is to be preferred. Approach A first approach should be not too expensive (less than €1000). But should not exclude any of the crucial techniques. UV fluorescence with nearly 0 emission in the visible range, large band IR reflectography between 750 and 1700 nm, Xrays imaging, macro imaging, and XRF analysis are proposed as the BASIC, LOW COST but NECESSARY PACKAGE. Moreover an educated reading should be provided with the results. Only when nothing excludes authenticity, (“nihil obstat” principle) more advanced techniques will be put in place, so to provide “in depth” research.

In the presented case:

More scientific data to come:

Educated Connoisseurship

IR UV

macro

Xrays

XRF