Our Study of a Corpus of Forged Drawings at the IG-IIC Conference “Paper, Pen, and Ink: Diagnostics and Restoration of Writing Materials”
Writing materials are not among the most studied, yet scientific analysis techniques can naturally be applied to them as well, sometimes yielding surprising results.
The eighth edition of the study days organized by the University of Pisa and IG-IIC will explore this topic in depth. The event will take place on December 4–5, 2025, at the San Micheletto Complex in Lucca. The goal of the conference is to provide participants with a critical understanding of support materials, inks, and their conservation. The program will cover the following topics:
- History and technique of writing materials (papyrus, paper, and parchment)
- Diagnostics of writing materials, inks, dyes, and pigments
- Material degradation and deterioration processes
- Restoration and conservation methodologies: best practices and common pitfalls
Art-Test will contribute with a presentation titled “An Authentic Fake! Study of a Corpus of Forged Drawings Attributable to the ‘Master of the Curl.’”
The IG-IIC is the Italian Group of the International Institute for Conservation (IIC), a prestigious international organization based in London, founded in 1950, with the goal of disseminating knowledge and new methodologies in the field of historic and artistic restoration. It is a key reference point for exchanging data and experience nationally in the conservation and restoration of cultural heritage.
IG-IIC addresses professionals across the cultural heritage sector, whether in public or private institutions, aiming to foster dialogue and develop activities related to heritage preservation.
Art-Test, strongly aligned with the association’s objectives, has been a member for several years.
In 2021, during the study days titled “The Scientist and the Forger,” we presented a contribution entitled “The Case of a Panel Attributed to Bruegel the Younger and the Need for a Shared Protocol for Authentication and Attribution.” To date, no official and universally accepted protocol has been established.
This year, we will present how, following a client’s request to investigate the authenticity of a series of drawings, we were able not only to document the nature of the artifacts but also to identify the author.
This was not straightforward. Writing materials are as fascinating as they are difficult to authenticate using only non-invasive methods. However, this type of analysis was the only approach permitted by the client.
In our conference presentation, we will demonstrate how, without removing any original material, but using a set of multispectral imaging investigations, transillumination inspections, and microphotography — according to the protocol we developed for works on paper — it was possible to investigate and document the drawings in all their aspects, including those invisible to the naked eye, and on this basis determine both the production period and the author.
In particular, we studied the watermarks present on the paper supports and other characteristics such as the arrangement of chain lines and laid lines. Access to specialized international watermark databases, organized by period and territory, was also crucial.
Data obtained from these comparisons, combined with documentary research, revealed that the supports used could not belong to the period indicated by our client, but rather to a much later date. We were also able to demonstrate that this exact corpus of drawings had previously appeared on the market with an attribution to a known forger, the Master of the Curl.
We won’t reveal more. The event is open to the public, and everyone is welcome to attend — registration is open until November 30.
We look forward to seeing you in Lucca!
