FINE ART EXAMINATION AND CONSERVATION

Early scientific studies were ptedominandy aimed at objects often referred to as belonging to the fine arts. Subsequendy, equal importance and effort has been attached to studies of objects of cultural and historical interest, such as archaeological and ethnographic materials, or manuscripts, documents, photographs, and books in archives andUbraries. This article is meant to be inclusive of all such objects as well as of fine arts objects. The term art object when used is an inclusive, generic connotation rather than an exclusive one. 

There are several possible reasons why a scientific study of an art work may be desirable. An obvious one is in cases where the authenticity of an object is doubted on styHstic grounds, but no unanimous opinion exists. The scientist can identify the materials, analy2e the chemical composition, and then investigate whether these correspond to what has been found in comparable objects of unquestioned provenance. If the sources for the materials can be characterized, eg, through trace element composition or stmcture, it may be possible to determine whether the sources involved in the procurement of the materials for comparable objects with known provenance are the same. Comparative examination of the technological processes involved in the manufacture allows for conclusions as to whether the object was made using techniques actually available to the people who supposedly created it. Additionally, dating techniques may lead to the estabUshment of the date of manufacture. 

The Vinland Map, supposed evidence of the Viking discovery of America long before Columbus, was proclaimed a forgery after the detection in the ink of titanium white, a modem pigment (see Pigments, inorganic) (13). Subsequendy, however, after another analytical study, the interpretation of the eadiet results has been questioned, and the matter of authenticity of this unique document stiU remains an open question (14,15). 

Although the cases in which scientific analysis is called upon to assist in the authentication process tend to draw the most attention and have. 

Kirk-Othmer Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology (4th Edition) 

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Special purpose articles describe analytical methodology for specialized systems such as art objects, surfaces, or residues (see Fine ART examination AND CONSERVATION NONDESTRUCTIVE TESTING SURFACE AND INTERFACE ANALYSIS and, Trace AND RESIDUE ANALYSIS). Many of the techniques Utilized for these systems ate also discussed ia materials charactetizatioa and separations articles. The methodology and some of the techniques are unique, however, and the emphasis ia these special topics articles is oa appHcatioa to a particular system. 

Chromatography is a technique for separating and quantifying the constituents of a mixture. Separation techniques are essential for the characterization of the mixtures that result from most chemical processes. Chromatographic analysis is used in many areas of science and engineering in environmental studies, in the analysis of art objects, in industrial quahty control (qv), in analysis of biological materials, and in forensics (see Biopolymers, analytical TECHNIQUES FiNE ART EXAMINATION AND CONSERVATION FoRENSic CHEMISTRY). Most chemical laboratories employ one or more chromatographs for routine analysis (1). 

On a still larger scale, the making of full-size Polacolor repHcas of works of art provides accurate images for display and for professional study and documentation (see Fine art examination and conservation). Because these do not involve photographic reduction and enlargement, the 1 1 repHcas maintain the fine detail and dimensional relationships of the original subjects. 

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