Intro. to Art Authentication Techniques

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2008:

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Student Support and Engagement Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Overview, Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Generic Skills sections of this entry.

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this subject are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and Student Equity and Disability Support: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/disability

This unit provides an introduction to conservation and analytical techniques employed in the process of art authentication. It focuses on the visual and scientific processes employed in the practical aspects of authentication. The practical applications and the process of selecting appropriate analytical techniques, including infra red imaging, x-radiography, Raman infra red spectroscopy, Fourier transform Infra Red Spectroscopy and Scanning Electron Microscopy, are discussed and the characteristics of different processes are examined.

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

Students who successfully complete this unit will:

Have an understanding of the complexities, strengths and weaknesses of the application of scientific analytical procedures to the authentication process

Understand the basic practical applications of the range of techniques covered

Be competent in choosing the appropriate methods for specific purposes