Art: Fakes, Forgeries, and Authenticity

Examination of concepts of authenticity, originality, fakes, and forgeries in art. Overview of problems inherent in concept of authenticity and description of many examples of problems related to this concept in series of discussions based on objects from variety of cultures. Introduction to subject of fakes and account of three different areas of connoisseurship that are essential component of production, study, and scientific examination of fakes. Nature of art connoisseurship described in many examples from Renaissance and earlier panel paintings, as well as antiquities and traditional African arts. Background of art restoration and art conservation discussed in relationship to authenticity and technical studies. Scientific tools that form basis of another kind of connoisseurship described in terms of dating techniques that can be applied directly to works of art and technical methods by which material constituents of works of art are studied. Concurrently scheduled with course C172B.

S/U or letter grading.