HOMER LIVE!: LEMONT ARTISTS GUILD: AUTHENTICITY AND BEYOND: FORENSIC ART ANALYSIS

Research Microscopist Joseph Barabe will discuss the ongoing question in the art and historical world of “It looks convincing, but is it?” which is often asked when artworks, ancient documents, and other historical objects are offered for sale or put on display.  Joseph will explain how science can offer many ways to identify fraudulent works such as specialized imaging, microscopical observation and analysis, and other high-tech methods will be described, along with numerous interesting case studies of both non-authentic works and several that strongly suggest authenticity. He will also talk about a project he worked on for the FBI, suggested forgeries of folk artist Clementine Hunter, an Alfred Sisley (who was a French painter) case, with a number of factors suggesting authenticity.  Hope you can register and attend this program to find out more about this interesting topic that intersects with the world of art and history!

Joseph Barabe is a Research Microscopist at Barabe & Associates LLC in Oak Park, IL.  He retired seven years ago from McCrone Associates Inc. in Westmont, IL, a microscopy and microanalytical consulting firm, where he served for 24 years as Director of Scientific Imaging and Senior Research Microscopist.  His more well-known projects include the photomicrography (photography of objects under a microscope) of the Zapruder film of the JFK assassination, the analysis of the ink on the Gospel of Judas for National Geographic, the Clementine Hunter forgery case for the FBI, the Archaic Mark forgery for the University of Chicago, and the mysterious Voynich Manuscript analysis for Yale’s Beinecke Rare Book & Manuscript Library.  He will leave time also for follow up questions and discussion.  You can find out more about Joseph at www.JBarabe.Academia.edu and www.JoeBarabePhotography.com.

Lemont Artists Guild meetings are open to all; you do not have to be a LAG member to attend. For more information on the Lemont Artists Guild, click here.

This program will take place online on Zoom. A link will be emailed to all registered patrons shortly before the program. Don't see the email? Check your spam folder!