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How did art historians use stylistic analysis to examine suspected forgeries?

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Hear about William Henry Ireland's fake manuscripts of William Shakespeare including a letter written to his wife — Forgery A look at a letter supposedly written by William Shakespeare to his wife, Anne Hathaway; it was, in fact, faked by William-Henry Ireland.

Art historians use stylistic analysis as a subjective, expert-driven method to examine suspected forgeries by evaluating whether a work aligns with the known characteristics of a specific artist or period. Because every artist possesses a unique flair, brushwork, and approach to composition that evolves throughout their career, historians compare a suspicious piece against the established body of an artist's work.1

Key elements examined during this process include:

Technical Execution: Historians scrutinize brushwork, color choices, and composition. Idiosyncrasies in an artist’s technique can often reveal a fraud in a manner similar to proving a handwriting forgery.1
Iconography: In ancient works, scholars analyze iconography—the symbols and themes present. Forgers often lack the deep scholarly background required to combine these elements correctly, and errors in this area frequently expose them.1
Purpose and Context: Genuine ancient objects were created for specific functional purposes. Forgers often produce pieces that are aesthetically appealing but inconsistent with the object's intended use or the logical placement of wear and tear.1

Ultimately, stylistic analysis relies on the scholar's intuitive judgment, critical sensitivity, and extensive knowledge of historical context.2