Scientists use GC-MS to analyze famous paintings, pick out KIRFs
By Joseph L. Flatley 
posted June 27th 2010 3:35PM
posted June 27th 2010 3:35PM
The debate raged for years (at least in those circles where things like this inspire rage): Which museum had the genuine article? Both the UK National Gallery and the Carnegie Museum of Art in Pittsburgh laid claim to Virgin and Child with an Angel by Renaissance artist Francesco Francia, and most experts agreed that the one in London was legit. That is, until last year when the organic chemistry of the painting was studied using something called a gas-chromatography-mass-spectrometer. In the hands of researchers, a GC-MS is used to determine the composition and characteristics of paint binding media, resins, varnishes, and obscure pencil marks -- which, in the case of the Francia, proved that the painting is in fact a 19th century forgery (graphite not being available to Francia in 16th century Italy). Don't feel bad, London. We've all been fooled by international art forgers at some point.
Dude, this happens to me ALL THE GODDAMN TIME.
At least its being used for something other than analyzing urine.
They should have sold it for millions before the results came in. Lol
That is one HUGE baby
@DefPoet
he must get it from his dad
@DefPoet Only in height.
@DefPoet
Dang
@DefPoet Long baby is long.
@DefPoet I was noticing that too. Damn ugly "little-man" face on it, though
@DefPoet
Big baby, and then there's the tiny guy...
This is probably old enough painting not to use the regular perspective but a perspective where the importance of subject makes it bigger.
As in this picture big baby for being jesus, big woman for being madonna and tiny guy for being mister nobody.
First they lose in the world cup and now this, poor England.
Its really hit these guys hard. The streets are quiet and the flags are coming down.
@MVP
Oh well, at least the new series of top gear has started...
Ps these moths are pissing me off.
@Apple Google Microsoft
What are u talking about? Top gear new season has started? Damn. How could i miss it?
I'm really surprised that this wasn't done a long time ago; gas chromatography has been around quite a few years.
Them damn KIRFs
"GC-MS is used to determine the composition and characteristics of paint binding media, resins, varnishes, and obscure pencil marks."
Sounds like something a newspaper would say, while GC-MS is just a method utilized to determine which type chemical it really is. Basically this is interesting news, but far from a groundbreaking achievement.
@coolicer
Maybe, but I'm still glad I heard about it.
It's not fake, they are just holding it wrong...
I wonder how much money they lost on this one...hehe....now if we could only prove that the god damn shroud of turin is fake...
I though the Shroud of Turin had been carbon dated and proved a fake years ago?
@Mike V
So did I, but apparently there is still some debate...and of course there really havent been any scientific tests done on it since 1988 (church won't let anyone go near it since), and those tests have been refuted.
So wait! Does that mean that the Carnegie Museum of Art in Pittsburgh has the real deal by default? No one bothered to test that one too, to see if it's a forgery also?
@Gas
I just think it would be funny if neither of them had the real painting.
@Gas
"The gallery now realises that its version is a precise copy of the Pittsburgh one."
@Gas
The real one is on my wall.
@Gas Just another reason Pittsburgh is the best city in the world. City of champions.
@mgene63
That titles been taken, LA has the last championship trophy given out for any major sport. LA is the best :) Now i wonder who will win the world cup.
@SiXiam
Yeah, I should've checked the "More Coverage" link. That was completely MY bad, and I apologize, dear readers.
Ewww a picture of a babys balls....
@Massive Poop
That's the first thing you notice? I think that might say more about you than the painting.
Big Ben is a KIRF I am telling you!
I was kinda hoping they'd discover that both were fake. I hate that damn ugly baby, I tell ya.
Hopefully the keyboard is typable, unlike the Droids. If this is a blackberry replacement, then I think it could be successful.
@smoof111
I dont think painting have keyboards...
@smoof111 Wrong article dumbass lol
@fowenati
Wow, this makes me think: could some of the trolls actually be bots?
i didnt know mr bean have been living that long?
starting to love these ALT articles
Finally...the term "KIRF" begins to see mass applications...maybe one day it'll overtake "LOL" as the most recognizable acronym.
Or not...but I can dream, right?
What is funny is that if it was painted as a copy, that is, cited as a copy, instead of a forgery, it would have value as a 19th century painting.
If that museum in the UK doesn't want it, I will take it for my office wall.
@Dr Yusuf AlKindi
It keeps value for just that, though not near as much.
@Dr Yusuf AlKindi
Check the bin behind the London museum. I think they just tossed theirs.
This picture tells a story: Angel says: "Some candy master gigantobaby?" Baby shakes his fingers and says: "Euh, euh, I ain't having that shit again. Get out of my face!"
The painting might be fake, but those Jesus balls are real! Filled with Satan juice, of course.
@zxcvbnm Go get a life. And stop spamming.
Jesus
Is that thing turbocharged?
Isn't the purpose of acronyms to make them shorter to spell or cooler to sound out? KIRFs is so awkward. I'm sick of seeing the word. It isn't funny and doesn't even make any sense when you say it.
"Scientists use GC-MS to analyze famous paintings, pick out Keepin' It Real Fake'S."
:S Just stop it already. If any of you hear anyone say that out loud you have my permission to pimp slap them for their audacity.
Besides...forgery of terrible art is still terrible. Look at those proportions! Cherub Jesus' face is looking the wrong direction in relation to his head, his blessED forearm is wiener dog short, that little mini adult shrunken for the sole purpose of composure doesn't fit and take a look at those super long T-1000 fingers of liquid metal death Saint Mary is sporting.
I don't have an appreciate for art I guess though I can respect that color blending. Fake or not, at least that was done well.