Fine art authentication

Fine art authentication is a process that ensures the integrity of artworks, preserves cultural heritage, and maintains trust in the art market. By combining traditional methods, scientific advancements,¹² and emerging AI³ and Blockchain technologies,⁴ art authentication can offer accurate attributions and protect the artistic legacy for future generations.⁵ It consists of proving the authenticity of an artwork and its attribution to a specific artist.⁶ This process involves determining the origin, authorship, and historical significance of a piece of art.⁷ The proliferation of art forgeries and the increased skill of the forgers who are aware of what scientific analysis reveals requires a rigorous approach to fine art authentication.⁸⁹

The requirement for art authentication has been a historical practice, evolving over centuries alongside the growing recognition of artists and the increasing value associated with their creations. During the Renaissance,¹⁰ the authentication of artworks was primarily based on the artist's style, brushstrokes, and technical mastery. Nevertheless, distinguishing between the original and the copy often proved challenging.¹¹ As art markets expanded globally and new artistic movements emerged, the authentication process became more intricate.¹²

Documentation examination involves scrutinizing the authenticity and accuracy of supporting paperwork, including certificates of authenticity, exhibition, and gallery records, as well as correspondence.¹³

Art authentication is a complex and multifaceted process, often accompanied by challenges and controversies. Some of the key issues include:^[11]14

Thierry Lenain¹⁵ asserts that a forger's goal is to mislead the public into believing that the generated work of art is something else entirely. ¹⁶