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The Unvarnished Truth Website Launched

October 15, 2015

Painting as seen by naked eye and under IRR scan

Study the painting beneath McMaster’s Van Gogh, the underdrawing of the Circle of Gossart, the retouching in the Van der Neer and much more!

As a complement to McMaster Museum of Art’s touring exhibition, The Unvarnished Truth: Exploring the Material History of Paintings, the Museum now proudly invites you to explore the extensive complementary website:

theunvarnishedtruth.mcmaster.ca

In addition to scholarly essays, catalogue entries, and texts outlining the different scientific methods employed, the site offers an exciting interactive visual tool. Now everyone can view the nine historical paintings in extraordinary detail through high resolution images of each layer including: Visible light, X-radiography, infrared reflectography and ultraviolet light.

Essays include:

  • The Art of Connoisseurship by Stephanie S. Dickey
  • Conservation Science and Paintings by Alison Murray
  • Conservation and Condition Issues by Gianfranco Pocobene
  • Histories of Selected Artists’ Pigments by Brandi Lee MacDonald
  • The Analysis of Inorganic Pigments Using Spectrometric Techniques by Brandi Lee MacDonald
  • The Technical Art Historian’s Methods of Investigation: Some Tools and Practices by Nenagh Hathaway
  • Imaging Using X-rays and Neutrons by Fiona McNeill
  • Limits of the Eye and the Engine of Curiosity by Ihor Holubizky

Disciplines in Motion: The Changing Roles of Museum Curators, Art Conservators, and Conservation Scientists by Ron Spronk

A printed publication is forthcoming.

The Unvarnished Truth website was designed by New Motto Inc. in Hamilton. The Unvarnished Truth Project and website was made possible through the generous support of the McMaster University Office of Research, the Museums Assistance Program, Canadian Heritage, the Ontario Arts Council and the City of Hamilton.

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Painting as seen by naked eye and under IRR scan

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VIEW ARCHIVE
Link to News Archive for a complete list of past news articles

McMaster Museum of Art Launches Two Cross-Campus Exhibitions this April, in Collaboration with McMaster University Library and School of the Arts
March 28, 2025

Read More

McMaster Museum of Art Hiring Communications Officer (16-month contract)
March 21, 2025

Read More

McMaster Museum of Art Welcomes Mary Reid as Director and Chief Curator
February 4, 2025

Read More

Contact

Tel.:  905-525-9140
Ext.:  23081 for main menu
Ext.:  23241 for reception desk
Email:  museum@mcmaster.ca
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Pay what you can, if you can, with a suggested donation of $2.00

If there is an AODA web accessibility issue with this website, please email museum@mcmaster.ca

All galleries are wheelchair accessible. Read more about accessibility at McMaster.

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Tuesday 11am-5pm
Wednesday 11am-5pm
Thursday 11am-7pm
Friday 11am-5pm
Saturday - Monday Closed

Closed statutory holidays and from December 24 - January 6, 2025

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