Chapter 664 Dropped Dead (1/2)
Chapter 664: Dropped Dead
Translator: Nyoi-Bo StudioEditor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
While taking out the paintings, Li Du also took out a certificate of authenticity that was signed by the oil painting experts from both Los Angeles County Museum of Art and Christie's.
When Jacob saw the certificate of authenticity, he smiled. ”Was it they who authenticated for you? Young Potter, this is a simple matter, you may not have needed me to come over and help.”
”Why would you say that, Uncle Jacob?” Potter asked curiously.
”Three of the people who authenticated this painting are friends of mine,” Jacob replied. ”I know their characters very well: they are honest and capable. The result of the authentication is official.”
Li Du smiled. It seemed like the two groups of people that Roger had helped him find were credible.
Jacob still proceeded to authenticate the painting in a very serious manner.
He also brought along a small machine that could analyze the paint and canvas of the painting.
Li Du asked curiously, ”Is that a tool for Carbon-14 analysis?”
Although he had already heard of such authentication techniques used on historical relics in archaeology, he had never encountered one before.
The old man shook his head and smiled. ”No, Carbon-14 analysis is not suitable for oil paintings. Firstly, it is not precise enough. Secondly, the amount of samples it requires is large, and not all oil paintings can provide such a large amount of samples.”
Nonetheless, the authentication method used by this machine was similar to the authentication method of using Carbon-14 analysis. The machine tested for the presence of Cesium 137 and Strontium-90.
Cesium-137 and Strontium-90 were two types of unique isotopes that were released by nukes during the 40s and 50s of the last century. They possessed frightening permeability and had permeated the Earth's entire soil layer, its flora, and fauna.
The adhesive natural oil that was required in the creation of oil paintings had also been permeated by these two types of isotopes.
Before the explosion of the nukes, these two types of isotopes had never appeared in nature.
As such, if experts found these two types of isotopes in a painting that was dated before 1945, the only conclusion was that the painting was a fake that had been forged after 1945.
”What if these paintings were forged before 1945?” Li Du asked.
The old man explained patiently, ”Forgery techniques achieved rapid developments only after World War II. The techniques for forging oil paintings were not well developed before 1945 and so, fake oil paintings from then are easy to distinguish.
”Also, Van Gogh's artworks only began dominating the art market after World War II. Before that, it was praised by many but bought by no one. As such, no one would put in the effort to forge fakes.
”Of course, these reasons are not definite and are only just for reference. For the most part, it is still necessary to rely on experts' analyses and authentications. From the lines and the usage of colors, we are able to identify the differences between a genuine painting and a fake painting.”
The saying, ”If there is no demand, there is no crime,” was very appropriate for the forgery of artworks.
The final authentication result was the same as what was stated in the certificate of authenticity: the two paintings were genuine.
Potter nodded his head in satisfaction and said, ”Let's decided on the prices of these two paintings then. If the prices are suitable, I can buy them both.”
”Both?” Li Du was dumbfounded. Potter was indeed extraordinarily wealthy.
”I have an elder who wants to give a present to an important customer. As the customer likes oil paintings, I think these two oil paintings will please him.”
Li Du was shocked. ”Paying a few million for a present? The deal of yours is too huge.”
Potter did not continue the conversation. He laughed a little and said, ”I don't know much about that, but let's discuss the prices.”