Close Examination: revealing the stories behind the paintings

Scientists, conservators and art historians uncover fakes, mistakes and discoveries from the National Gallery Collection

A blonde's dark secret

Discoveries

Find out about the secrets lying underneath the paint

Past exhibition

Close Examination: Fakes, Mistakes and Discoveries

Sainsbury Wing: 30 June – 12 September

Fakes

Deception and deceit

From innocent misrepresentation to cunning forgery

Mistakes

Downgraded attributions

When the experts got it wrong, and how their mistakes were disovered

Discoveries

Detecting changes

Uncovering transformations and modifications from the past

Secrets

Great art puzzles

The secrets hidden in Old Master paintings

Being Botticelli

Correct attribution?

Knowing the difference: a tale of two paintings

Redemption

Masterpieces recovered

Paintings restored to their former glory

Technical Bulletin

The latest research by curators, scientists and conservators