The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-11-16

Science Detects
Art Forgeries
DR.. A. P. Laurie Reveals Fraudulent:
cod Masters" by Means of
Micro-Photography.
Especial D:spatch.)

LONDON Nov. IS
NR. a. T.. LAURIE. president OF the
fHeriot-Watt College. Edinburgh. and
PROFESSOR Of Chemistry to the ROYAL
Academy. is IN London in connection
with the researches lie has been conduct.
ling into the authenticity Of pictures by old
masters ny means OF micro photography
HIS Investigations into the history OF
pigments led him TO the belief that for
ger'es OF old masters might be detected by
inc identification of character In brush
work as revealc by the microscope.
lie has designed special camera called
inc nicro-camera. with which lie has been
|" inc principal galleries in London. Edin-
ouT6h. Amsterdam and The Hague. aud
! has photographed portions OF famous MIC
| lures magnified in size up 10 six diam
etcrs He believes hat just az tho fraud
u!cat signature on a check can he 6o.
tected by u,asnfying and pho,ograph.nE
1t. 80 the brush work OF a copyist of SOM.
great painting can be revealed In the ram,
way
The picture in tho rational Gallery
called The Old Grey Hunter" By PAU
Potter. has recently had doubts cast upon
! 1t by DR.. Bredlus. who IS inclined 20
ascribe 1t TO Verbeecquc. DR.. Laurie ha.
photographed tho horses head IN this mic.
turo and has compared the result with
! photographs he has taken OF pictures be
Paul Potter In Amsterdam and a. TIL.
Hague, OF which there is no doubt.
His conclusion is that the main par, OF
THE Old Grey Hunter" is By vcrbeecoue.
but that the horse was put in by another
artist copying Paul Potter
| In order 20 be quite certain OF III.
character OF brush work" nc SAYS. "a
very large number OF micro. photographs
must be taken on one artists work cover.
ING various periods OF his career. have
obtained records from the Spanish Ad-
fn!ral and Philip OF Spain in the Ma
1ionai Gallery. and the unconscious char
leaves no doubt whatever tho. both are
by velasqucz.
i have Photographed In the Edinburgl,
National Gallery the 'Fcte Chanpetre.' b.
Vatican. side by side with splendid copy
or the picture by n modern artist. Under
the searching eye Of ,he micro-camera tho
copy. which could scarcely be detected
from the original b. Tie naked eye. tou
:, all TO pieces and showed itself for what
it was.
Just as the forger OF a check must
build up q signature laboriously. SO the
copyist OF II picture must proceed. and IL
!s just the difference between the hating
steps OF the plaS!arst and the free move
n'enis of the master that the photographs
reveal
\ Or. Laurie has obtained records o.
brush work from pictures BY Mabuse.
, Titan, Vandyck, Halls. Rembrandt.
! Tcnlcrs Vatican, Paul Potter. cromc.
; Constable. Vclasquez treal or supposed).
and many painters Of the modern school
Of landscape art.
II have come 10 the conclusion" went
on Dr.. Laurie. that the hand OF ,nastc-
puts in moro than the eye can see. He py IS
IN touches more accurately than he know :.
The copyist cannot do this. and under tile
microscope he Is exposed at once. have
photogra phed a set Of eyes, the eyes pain. :
: ed by Rembrandt, Titan, Vandyck ana
Halls, and all reveal character--not merely
small, inesscntial details-which could not
DC seen By the naked eye"
Already tho new method has been instru-
mental In proving forgery Of a Teniers
and another OF n Wouverman. in privat &c
n collection. The professor intends visiting
S Amsterdam and Madrid shortly in pursuit.
OF other records. Artists whose work ,s
) detailed and the draughtsmanship definite
:, are the best subjects In micro pho geographic
] methods OF examination, and Or. Laurie
!. thinks that parts OF the pictures which
/ show casual touches arc the best for c%-
empllfication OF character.
. a micro photograph OF the brush Work
OF picture of doubtful authenticity laid
{ on a table with half dozen other, o.
K which no doubt exists would, Dr. Laurie
thinks be too great an ordeal for the most
l skilful forgery to endure.
EAPN tn pJAN CnI /