Dr. Ragai's book is a delight for all those who have an interest in both fine arts and science ... The book provides fascinating examples of forgeries, some which are well known, and some which are less known to the general public.
- Krister Holmberg, President of the Royal Society of Arts and Sciences in Gothenberg and Member of the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences
(Jehane Ragai) has explored, again on the basis of scientific investigations, the psychology of both those forging and those viewing such works of art. The result is a highly original and informative volume that is not only impossible to put down but also makes one think in a new way about how we view the world around us.
- Chris Dobson, John Humphrey Plummer Professor of Chemical and Structural Biology and Master of St John's College Cambridge
This timely, splendidly researched and very readable book provides the educated layman with illuminating insights into the many social, technical and psychological factors associated with both the act of forgery and the process of authenticating a genuine original vision.
- David L Carpanini, Past President of the Royal Society of Painter-Printmakers
Most books related to art forgery focus on the techniques of forgers and of 'art forensic' investigators. Jehane Ragai evidently discloses these aspects with fresh insights and with the required sophistication in her excellent book; but previous authors on the subject rarely developed so crisp analyses of the psychological facets of art forgery from the perspective of the forger and more interestingly from the owner of a forged art piece.
- Christian Amatore, Member of the French and Chinese Academies of Science
Over the last few decades there has been a disconcerting increase in the number of forged paintings. In retaliation, there has been a rise in the use, efficiency and ability of scientific techniques to detect these forgeries. The scientist has waged war on the forger.
The Scientist and the Forger describes the cutting-edge and traditional weapons in this battle, showing how they have been applied to the most notorious cases. The book also provides fresh insights into the psychology of both the viewer and the forger, shedding light on why the discovery that a work of art is a forgery makes us view it so differently and providing a gripping analysis of the myriad motivations behind the most egregious incursions into deception.
The book concludes by discussing the pressing problems faced by the art world today, stressing the importance of using appropriate tools for a valid verdict on authenticity. Written in an approachable and amenable style, the book will make fascinating reading for non-specialists, art historians, curators and scientists alike.
Over the last few decades there has been a scandalous increase in the number of forged paintings in tandem with a steep rise in the price of artworks. This also comes with an enhanced awareness on the part of professional forgers that their paintings might undergo scientific investigation.
The Scientist and the Forger describes both innovative and long-held approaches to the detection of forgery and authentication of paintings with special focus on ground-breaking scientific techniques introduced in the last decade. It provides both the layperson and the scientist with a description of these new methods while relating them to both the most notorious cases where these methods have been applied.
Fresh insights into the psychology of the viewer are provided and attempts to shed new light on the long-sought answer to the question: Why does the revelation that a work of art is forged make us view it differently? are discussed. The psychology of the forger is also explored as are the myriad motivations behind the most egregious incursions into deception.
The book concludes by discussing some of the pressing problems faced by the art world today, stressing the importance of using appropriate tools for a valid verdict on authenticity, and making a case for the imperative necessity of integrating honest connoisseurship and competent science.
