The Evolution of Authenticity and the Integration of Philosophical Tools for its Determination

Abstract

ABSTRACT Addressing authenticity involves several disciplines. From a conservation point of view, it is imperative to understand the attribution of value to an object in order to understand and interpret it. Philosophy focuses on a crucial aspect of the artwork, its spirit and intention: it deals with concepts, essence, meaning and ideas. By including the philosophical perspective when studying art, we can move beyond material theories, seek the multivalent, and construct a more comprehensive critical discourse. This paper briefly discusses the evolution of the term ‘authenticity’ over context and periods, and how the shift in its definition corresponds to different approaches in conservation, by categorizing authenticity using some philosophical tools and presenting some case studies in which these categories contributed to conservation decision-making. The incorporation of philosophical questioning provides a wider body of knowledge on which we can base our conservation actions, which might offer interesting solutions, practical considerations, and new tools and resources that lead to more ethical and significant treatments. By better understanding how and what we are conserving and how we are approaching authenticity, we also understand better the larger set of idiosyncratic concepts in which we are embedded. Our search for authenticities is a response to society’s rhythms and habits. These world views are a defining set of premises based on factual, ontological, ethical and normative implications, and yet our search for meaning is ongoing.