Mystery of a Masterpiece

Following in the footsteps of other art-historical mystery/sleuth documentaries (such as Who the #$&% Is Jackson Pollock?), the PBS-aired NOVA episode Mystery of a Masterpiece takes a look at the often unstable speculative nature of art appraisal as it competes with increasingly sophisticated modern forensic science. In this case, prominent NYC art buyer Peter Silverman spends $22,000 for a portrait of a woman that he believes was painted by Leonardo Da Vinci, setting into motion a heated investigative drama as Silverman ropes in art historians to try and trace the portrait's origins. According to the fusty naysaying academic “experts” interviewed here, there is little hope that this could be a genuine Leonardo painting. Proof in this case turns out to be a long series of forensic scientific checks on the portrait's canvas that takes it around the world—ending up in Poland, where a major unexpected breakthrough is suddenly made. An interesting introduction to the forensics of fine art—that also focuses on techniques employed to battle the multi-billion-dollar criminal market in stolen and fake art—this is recommended. Aud: C, P. (M. Sandlin)