The London and New York laboratory, founded by its chief scientist Nicholas Eastaugh in 2009, is hoping to raise £3m.
Clients already include Sotheby’s, Christie’s, Rafael Valls, Daniel Katz and Colnaghi.
Forensic future
President and chief executive Curt Bilby, who invested in the firm last year, is leading its fundraising efforts. He said: “Nicholas Eastaugh put together a team of recognised experts in the field of scientific art analysis and we are in a place to scale the business.”
He said the recent hiring of Charles Rolandi, an art consultant and former Sotheby’s director as UK managing director, gives the company “operational expertise within the art market”.
Art Analysis and Research has hired art consultant and former Sotheby’s director Charles Rolandi to become its UK managing director.
Bilby predicts forensic art analysis to become a “normal part of doing things” in the art trade. “We believe it is possible to decrease the turnaround time of analysis from many months, to make it relevant for businesses including auctioneers, insurers and art finance companies.”
Last year, amid concern surrounding a $10m portrait sold as a Frans Hals, Sotheby’s bought scientific research specialist Orion Analytical, run by scientist James Martin.
