The purpose of this paper is to present a few examples of art objects that have been analyzed with the electron microprobe over the past 40 years at the Boston Museum of Fine Arts. The results of many examinations have led to the fact that the object was a forgery. However, the results of most examinations have proved that the object has the necessary structure and chemistry to be authentic. It should be pointed out, that an object can be proved to be a forgery. But you cannot prove authenticity. The materials used for the object may not fit the time frame for the period, therefore a forgery, or the materials may fit the time period, the structure and style may fit the work of a particular artist or craftsman and still be a copy.

In the early 1960’s a 15th century painting, a Portrait of a Lady, see FIG. 1, was brought to the laboratory at the Boston Museum of Fine Arts for examination.