Infrared study applied to art

The Valencian Institute of Conservation, Restoration and Research (IVCR+i) has been collaborating since 2016 with the Historical Heritage Group of the National Police Unit attached to the Comunitat, through the department of Modern and Contemporary Art, Expertise, Valuation and Expertization.

Currently, IVCR+i experts are analyzing the authorship of seven works signed by the American artist Jean-Michel Basquiat (New York, 1960-ibidem, 1988), friend and faithful collaborator of Andy Warhol.

For this purpose, the IVCR+i performs an infrared study at 1700 nanometers using the latest technology. Álava Ingenieros provides the NIR camera, capable of analyzing works of art and detecting paint retouching or possible forgeries. Likewise, they acquire the XYZ scanner, designed in 3 axes, to move the camera along and across the painting. Thanks to these products they can perform image studies at different wavelengths (macro and micrographs with visible light and ultraviolet light), analyzing the painting in very small areas, increasing the detail of the painting. More information