Discourses

Discourse: The scientist and the forger

Jehane Ragai delves into this ongoing battle between scientists and forgers, revealing the cutting-edge and traditional methods used to uncover art deceptions.

Meo via pexels

Over the last few decades, the art world has faced a troubling rise in forged paintings. In response, scientific techniques for detecting these forgeries have become more sophisticated and effective. We are thrilled to offer you the unique opportunity to join  Professor Jehane Ragai in delving into the ongoing battle between scientists and forgers, revealing the leading-edge and traditional methods used to uncover art deceptions. Exploring notorious cases, including the Beltracchi, Chagall, Pollock, and Rothko affairs, Jehane will emphasise the importance of using the right tools and techniques to guarantee authenticity. This Discourse will discuss the motivations behind the most egregious art deceptions. It will also shed light on why discovering a work of art is a forgery dramatically changes our perception of it.

 

Copies of Jehane's latest book "Scientist And The Forger, The: Insights Into The Scientific Detection Of Forgery In Paintings" will be available to purchase after the talk.  

Event type

This is a theatre and livestream event for an adult audience, where the speakers and audience in our Theatre are joined by our audience online. 

By booking to attend events at the Royal Institution, you confirm that you have read and accept the Ri's event terms and conditions. You also agree to abide by our code of conduct, and help to create a great experience for yourself and your fellow participants. Please note that Eventbrite adds a small booking fee to the amount paid for each ticket option.

For any queries regarding this event please get in touch by phone 020 7409 2992 or email events@ri.ac.uk.

About Jehane Ragai

Photo of Jehane Ragai
Jehane Ragai

Jehane Ragai is an emeritus Professor of Chemistry at the American University in Cairo.  She has lectured extensively in the US, Europe and the Middle East to university and museum audiences on the scientific detection of forgery in paintings and on topics related to Ancient Egyptian Science. The recipient of several AUC Trustees merit awards, Jehane also received the School of Sciences and Engineering award for her role as chair of the Department of Chemistry and in 2013 she was awarded the university-wide best teacher award. From 2008-2020, Ragai has been a jury member for the l’Oreal-UNESCO, Women in Science award and is a foreign member of the Royal Swedish Academy of Arts and Sciences in Gothenburg. She is the author of the acclaimed book “The Scientist and the Forger” and her educational Textbook “Technical Art History” which she co-authored with Tamer Shoeib has won in 2021 the "Most Promising New Textbook Award " by the Textbook and Academic Authors Association in the US.   

Timing

Doors to the Theatre will open at about 6.50pm.

All attendees must be seated in the Theatre by 7.20pm. The Discourse will start promptly at 7.30pm.

A Pay Bar will be available from 6.00pm. It will open again after the talk, until 9.30pm.

 

Timing for the livestream

The livestream will go live at 7.25pm, and the introduction will begin at 7.30pm. If you register but miss the livestream, the video will be available to you via the same link for two weeks after the event date.

More about Discourses

Discourses are one of the Ri’s oldest and most prestigious series of talks. Since 1825, audiences in the theatre have witnessed countless mind-expanding moments, including the first public liquefaction of air by James Dewar, the announcement of the electron by JJ Thomson and over 100 lectures by Michael Faraday. In more recent times, we have had Nobel laureates, Fields medal winners, scientists, authors and artists – all from the leading-edge of their field. Discourses are an opportunity for the best and brightest to share their work with the world.

Steeped in two centuries of tradition, a Discourse is more than just a lecture. To keep the focus on the topic, presenters begin sharply at 7:30pm without introduction and we lock the speaker into a room ten minutes ahead of the start (legend has it that a speaker once tried to escape!). Some of our guests dress smartly for our Discourse events to add to this sense of occasion.

Find out more about the history of the Friday Evening Discourses on our blog.

Accessibility

The event will take place on the first floor and there is step-free access from the street via lift.

The closest underground station is Green Park, which is step-free.

There is space at floor level in the theatre for wheelchair users.

Seating is usually unreserved for our events. If you and your group require seating reservations, please do let us know by emailing us at events@ri.ac.uk, and we’ll be more than happy to help.

Carers can receive a free ticket to an event by emailing events@ri.ac.uk.

Our theatre is equipped with an Audio Induction Loop. 

Covid guidelines

Face masks are no longer mandatory and wearing one in our Theatre and at other Ri events is at your discretion, however please do not attend the Ri if you are displaying Covid symptoms or, if you have tested, the result remains positive. Thank you for respecting other people and their choices, and for helping us keep all of our visitors and staff safe and well.

Event terms and conditions