The dossier

A full authentication dossier on one disputed painting, working every evidence type the semester has taught and logging where they disagree.

Due: 30 April 2027 · Weight: 35%

The brief#

In 2000–3000 words, build a full authentication dossier on one disputed painting: every relevant evidence type this course has taught, an explicit log of where they agree and disagree, and a stated verdict.

This is the attribution note’s method scaled up, not a longer version of the same argument. Where the note could rest on one or two evidence types, the dossier has to work at least three, and its central discipline is the log: every piece of evidence goes in, including the pieces that argue against where you end up. A dossier that quietly drops an inconvenient seal reading is worse than one that names the seal reading, explains why it’s outweighed, and moves on — the second is the actual skill this assessment is testing.

You may use the painting your seminar group shortlisted in week 7–8, or a different disputed painting entirely, provided its dispute is documented in the literature rather than invented for the assignment.

What you submit#

A single document, 2000–3000 words, with the evidence log as a clearly separated section (a table is fine) rather than folded into the prose. Declare any AI or outside research assistance per the policies page; this assessment’s own subject matter makes an undeclared shortcut here the least defensible place in the course to take one.