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SWARNA KAMAL BHOWMIK
SAMBODHI-PURĀTATTVA
There are a number of scientific methods which employ nuclear techniques. These nuclear methods can be applied to solve historic and artistic riddles; but they are not suitable for light sensitive miniature Paintings. Because water colour miniature Paintings of India are extermely sensitive to harmful sources of light.
CONCLUSION
In India as well as in foreign countries, quite a number of miniature paintings belonging to different periods of history of India were passed and acquired as authentic and genuine, but later on, after scientific examinations of internal characteristics, these Paintings have been identified as the products of skillful and clever forgery.
While evaluating art object especially miniature painting for the purpose of dating, for knowing their Provenance and for probing authenticity specialists on art-historical studies should critically examine both the external characteristics as well as the internal characteristics of such paintings. Scientific evidence revealed by technical studies can help in resolving as the wrong attributions. The stylistic formative studies should be carried out side by side with technical studies, which will reveal important aspects of artist's material and artist's technique. Art historical studies18 cannot afford to neglect the study of artist's material and artist's technique while dealing with art-objects.
The information and knowledge about artist's material and artist's technique are valuable and fascinating; because, they reveal how artist's mind worked.
Art historans and art critics can hardly make a correct assessment of works of art pertaining to different periods of history if they neglect the study of artist's material and artist's technique. Even the analysis of binding media empolyed in the preparation of paint may give definite clues of date of creation of a painting. Satisfactory answer to the vexing questions of Provenance, age and authenticity can be obtained by adequate studies of external and internal characteristics of miniature Paintings of India.
References : 1. Shah, Umakant P.; 1968, PROGRESS OF STUDIES IN FINE ARTS AND TECHNICAL
SCIENCES (presidential Address of Fine Arts and Technical Science sections), All India
