A new method in the battle against fakes, developed by Dr Elena Basner, formerly of the Russian Museum, relies on the presence or absence in the pigment-binding oils of isotopes released by nuclear explosions in 1945 and later (Times).
Dr Basner, who is a consultant to a Swedish auction house, plans to use the
technique to test the authenticity of Russian avant-garde works dating from
1900 to 1930. “The number of avant garde fakes out there is unbelievable,
probably more than the number of genuine works,” she said.
“Collectors and dealers do not want to come to us. They are afraid the market
will resist this technology. There are many people who have an interest in
keeping fakes in circulation.”
UPDATE: this news was first broken by John Varoli in The Art Newspaper.