The chemistry of chaos: decoding the layers of Jackson Pollock
In short: How do we distinguish a masterpiece from a forgery when the technique is intentionally abstract? This presentation from the World Science Festival explores the intersection of art history and hard science to analyze the physical composition of Pollock's work.
Presented by senior conservation scientist Narayan Khandekar of Harvard University, this talk examines the technical analysis of three paintings attributed to Jackson Pollock. It highlights how scientific research—ranging from chemistry to physics—is used to authenticate and understand the material reality of art.
The session is part of a broader exploration of the relationship between science and art, featuring insights from Nobel Laureate chemists and physicists. It provides a rigorous look at how modern technology can reveal the hidden history of a canvas.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Technical Analysis of Three Paintings Attributed to Jackson Pollock - Part 1 of 3
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