photon sciences

Using X-rays to Peel Back the Layers of a Purported Rembrandt

Physical Sciences kmcwalsh | December 2, 2011

This guest post was written by Mona S. Rowe, science writer for Brookhaven National Laboratory's National Synchrotron Light Source (NSLS) and NSLS-II. The quest to authenticate an unknown Rembrandt painting, titled "Old Man with a Beard," hit a dramatic high at the National Synchrotron Light Source (NSLS) at Brookhaven National Laboratory. Using an advanced x-ray detector developed at NSLS, scientists found compelling evidence that the famous Dutch master did indeed have his own hand on the painting. "After doing the experiments at NSLS, I felt that the painting I held in my hands was a…