Authentication of a painting by Nicolae Grigorescu using modern multi-analytical methods

Abstract

The paper presents the expertise of authenticating a painting by Nicolae Grigorescu through the involvement of multi-analytical techniques, in order to identify and evaluate some archaeometric and chemometric characteristics of the pictorial materials and of the support, used in determining the age. The painting is made with oil colors on pressed cardboard, with preparation based on chalk powder and animal glue. The painting presents two elements as being counterfeit, which have attracted suspicions, namely the signature of the author (presenting a semi-transparent covering veil), and, on the back, a writing of dating, performed by a very controversial art historian. The investigation was carried out by direct analysis with magnification devices, in reflectedUV(ultraviolet), VIS (visible), and NIR (near-infrared) light, and by OM, SEM-EDX, and μ-FTIR. The results showed that the painting is authentic and belongs to Nicolae Grigorescu, and the dating established previously by Amelia Pavel through the writing on the back is certain.