Scientists have been using state-of-the-art gas-chromatography-mass-spectroscopy (GC-MS) to study the organic chemistry of old master paintings in the UK National Gallery's collection. GC-MS has been used to study the characterisation and composition of paint binding media, additions to paint media such as resins, and the composition of old varnishes.
Paint binding media include drying oils such as linseed oil, walnut oil and poppy seed oil. Analysis can show whether the oil was pre-treated by heat-bodying, or thickening, before use by the painter. Added resins can be identified and the state of degradation of the binder assessed. Paintings in other media such as egg tempera can be identified, as well as complex combinations of media.
One such painting studied was The Virgin and Child with an Angel, originally attributed to the Renaissance painter-goldsmith Francesco Francia and dated ~1490. The authenticity of the painting was queried in 1954 when another version of the same painting appeared on the market. In 2009, GC-MS was used to test the paint media and varnish, with the conclusion that the painting in the UK collection was a fake painted in the 19th century.
If you happen to be in the UK during July, you can get to see the results of this research for yourself:
http://www.nationalgallery.org.uk/about-us/press-and-media/close-examination
Now, if you happen to be in Australia, you have only a few days left to get yourself to Federation Square in Melbourne to see Rafael Lozano-Hemmer's amazing "Solar Equation" installation. This incredible piece of physics-meets-art is a simulation of the Sun, 100 million times smaller than the real thing, and compresses the entire 11 year solar cycle including solar flares and sunspots into a few short minutes of visual excitement.
http://www.fedsquare.com/index.cfm?pageID=373
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