Elena Rossi
There are several ways to find out what a painting is painted with. One way is to examine the back of the painting, which often contains inscriptions, labels, dealer numbers, and collector's marks that can provide valuable information about the materials used. Another way is to use image recognition apps or reverse image search engines, such as Google Images or TinEye, especially if you have a digital copy of the painting. These tools can help identify the artist, the work's title, and other technical details. Additionally, by studying the painting under strong magnification, you may be able to determine if it is an engraving hand-coloured with watercolours or if there is a stipple effect, which can provide clues about the materials used.
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What You'll Learn
Reverse image search
Google Images is one of the most popular reverse image search tools. To use this tool, you can drag and drop an image into the search box on the Google Images page. Google will then find similar images, and you can follow the links to these images to find information about the author and the artwork.
If you use Google Chrome, you can right-click on any image and select "Search Google for this image" to search the web. You can also copy and paste the image URL into the search engine. You can download an image and upload it to the engine instead of copying and pasting the URL if you prefer.
Other reverse image search tools include TinEye, which can be used as a website or as a Chrome extension, and Bing's Visual Search.
There are also smartphone applications specifically designed for art recognition and information, such as Magnus, Smartify, and Shazam for Art. These apps use image recognition technology to identify artworks and provide information. However, their effectiveness may vary, especially with 3D objects or lesser-known artworks.
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Check the back of the painting
Checking the back of a painting can be an effective way to identify the artist, its history, and its value.
Firstly, you should carefully examine the back of the painting for any signatures or markings. Artists often sign their names in the dark lower corners of paintings, and while signatures are most commonly on the front, they can also be on the reverse. Signatures can be hard to spot, so the use of a strong light may be necessary.
Secondly, the back of a painting can reveal its history, including its previous owners. Labels and stamps can indicate that a painting has passed through the hands of notable collectors, dealers, institutions, or museums. For example, the double-headed eagle stamp on the back of a painting indicates that it was plundered by Germany's Reich Chamber of Culture (1933-1945). Private collectors have also been known to add their names or initials to the back of paintings they owned, such as King Charles I of England, who branded his initials 'CR' topped with a crown.
Thirdly, the back of a painting can provide insight into its value and authenticity. Authentic pieces often allow some light to come through the canvas, whereas prints often do not. Original art pieces typically have several layers visible to the naked eye, whereas forgeries tend to lack depth. It is also important to examine the condition of the painting, as this affects its value. Discoloration, tears, missing paint, and staining are all factors that can decrease a painting's value.
Lastly, the back of a painting can provide information about its materials and construction. For example, the back of a painting may indicate that it was painted on a prepared panel by a specific manufacturer, as in the case of a painting examined by Marina Viatkina, which had "Winsor & Newton (Limited), ARTISTS’ COLOURMEN To Her Majesty and to T.R.H. The Prince and Princess of Wales 38, Rathbone Place, W. and North London Colour Works, Kentish Town, N.W." written on the back. This information can be used to research the manufacturer and determine the materials and techniques used in the painting's creation.
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Use an identification app
There are several image recognition apps available that can help identify a painting and provide additional information about the artwork and the artist. These apps use image search technology to identify the painting and provide a digital image of the artwork.
Some of the popular apps in this category include Smartify, Magnus, Google Lens, and FindArt Scanner. Smartify has partnered with hundreds of museums, art galleries, and historic places to provide users with audio tours, guides, and videos about the artwork. It also allows users to scan paintings, sculptures, and objects to reveal what they are looking at. The app can also be used by visually impaired visitors to provide enlarged text labels for works on display. Magnus has built a database of more than 10 million images of art, mostly crowdsourced, and provides interesting facts and background information about the composition.
To use these apps, users can snap a photo of a painting or scan it using their phone camera, and the app will try to identify the artwork and provide relevant information. These apps are useful when trying to identify a painting or learn more about it, but they may not work for paintings by obscure artists that have not been well-documented and catalogued.
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Research the artist
Researching the artist behind a painting can be a challenging task, especially if it's an unsigned work or one with an illegible signature. Here are some strategies to help you in your research:
Examine the Painting Itself
The painting itself can provide valuable clues about the artist. Start by looking for a signature, even if it's faint or illegible. If you can identify even a few letters, you can use reference tools like Davenport's Art Reference & Price Guide or The Art Signature File to help decipher the full name. Additionally, look for any marks, monograms, hallmarks, stamps, or inscriptions on the back, stretchers, frame, or base that might provide insights into the artist or the painting's origin.
Study the Style and Composition
Assess the style and composition of the painting to identify the artistic movement it belongs to. Different artistic movements throughout history share certain characteristics. For example, Expressionism and Impressionism are known for their expressive brush strokes and non-accurate colours. By identifying the movement, you can narrow down your search to artists associated with that particular style.
Reverse Image Search
Take a high-quality photo of the painting and perform a reverse image search on platforms like Google Images or image recognition apps like Smartify and Magnus. These apps can provide information about the artist, composition, and background of the painting. However, they are most effective for well-documented and catalogued paintings by established artists.
Research the Artwork's History
Gather as much information as you can about the artwork's history, including when and where you acquired it and any details provided by previous owners or dealers. Check if there are any gallery, auction, or exhibition labels on the back of the painting, as these can provide valuable research directions.
Consult Experts and Resources
Reach out to art experts, such as museum curators, art historians, or gallery owners, especially those specialising in the type of art you're trying to identify. They may be able to provide insights about the period, style, and potential artists. Additionally, utilise library resources, auction sales databases like ArtNet, and art reference books to cross-reference information and compare similar works by the same artist.
Remember, researching the artist of a painting can be a complex process, and sometimes you may need to employ multiple strategies to uncover the information you seek.
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Consult experts
Consulting experts is a crucial step in determining the materials used in a painting and its authenticity. Here are some reasons why seeking expert advice is essential:
Expertise in Art Authentication
Professional art authenticators or appraisers have the necessary training and experience to spot real paintings and prevent you from investing in a forgery. They use various methods to examine a painting, including UV light, infrared reflectography, and other tools to check the materials and techniques used. These experts can test the materials, such as the canvas, paint, and other mediums, to determine if they match the historical context of the artist's work.
Insight into Artistic Styles and Materials
Art historians and curators have extensive knowledge of artistic styles, periods, and materials. They can offer valuable insights into the era and artistic movement associated with a particular painting. This expertise helps in narrowing down the potential artists or origins of the work.
Understanding Provenance and Ownership History
Provenance, or the history of ownership, is a critical factor in determining the authenticity of a painting. Experts can help verify the provenance by examining records from dealers, galleries, museums, and auction houses. They can assess whether the painting has a strong and clear provenance, including documents such as bills of sale, exhibition catalogs, and auction records.
Access to Advanced Analysis Techniques
Experts have access to advanced technologies, such as infrared reflectography and UV light analysis, which can reveal hidden layers, underlying sketches, corrections, and inconsistencies in a painting. These techniques are crucial in distinguishing between original paintings and reproductions.
Guidance on Research and Verification
Consulting experts provides guidance on researching the artist and verifying their background, artistic style, and previous works. They can advise on comparing signatures, inspecting brushstrokes and texture, and understanding the value and reputation of the artist's work. This guidance ensures a more informed assessment of the painting's authenticity.
By seeking the opinion of professionals in the art world, you can increase your confidence in the information you gather about a painting's materials and authenticity. Their expertise and access to resources make them invaluable in navigating the complex world of art authentication.
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Frequently asked questions
There are several ways to find out what a painting is painted with. Firstly, you can examine the back of the painting, which may provide information such as inscriptions, labels, dealer numbers, and collector's marks. Secondly, you can use image recognition apps or reverse image search tools, such as Google Lens or TinEye, to identify the painting and subsequently find information about the materials used. Finally, you can consult art experts or specialists, such as those at museums or auction houses, who may be able to provide insights based on their knowledge and experience.
Some popular image recognition apps for identifying paintings include Smartify, Magnus, Shazam, and Google Lens. These apps can provide information about the artist, title, date, and other relevant details, although the extent of information provided may vary between apps.
To perform a reverse image search, you can use a search engine like Google by going to the Images section and either right-clicking the image (if it's on your computer) and selecting "Search Google for this image" or dragging and dropping the image into the search box. Alternatively, you can copy and paste the image URL into the search engine. This will bring up websites displaying the same or similar images, allowing you to find information about the painting, including the materials used.
