Abstract

Science and connoisseurship come together in the examination and conservation of fine art. Chemical and physical analysis methods are used to examine art objects for a variety of purposes including the establishment of authenticity, schloarly investigation of the works, and evaluation of their state of preservation. Methods for analyzing the works are described and conservation scientists’ efforts in the field of preservation are discussed. Knowledge of the materials used for the creation of a work of art is invaluable for understanding how it was made, and how best to preserve it. Choosing appropriate treatments for a work of art requires knowledge of its chemical components and their deterioration mechanisms as well as how the artist applied them. Current research on the stablity of materials that have been used by artists and artists’ techniques is summarized. Examples of the application of scientific analysis of the investigation of artists’ working methods and the original appearance of works are given.