Introduction
Dr. Ye Guo-Shin, the first Chinese scholar to earn a Ph.D. in Art Authentication from the United Kingdom, has spent decades excelling in the art world. He has successfully authenticated lost manuscripts of Hu Shi, as well as masterpieces by renowned artists like Fu Baoshi and Zhang Daqian. Combining his academic and practical expertise, Dr. Ye is now bringing the public up close to the secrets of identifying authentic art, offering a rare glimpse into the most enigmatic realms of the art world.

Article by Gao Li-Ling | Photography by Lin Wei-Kai | Materials Provided by Mo Hai Lou International Art Research Group

Several years ago, TV shows on antique and art appraisals became wildly popular. Yet, for many people, the ability to assess the authenticity of paintings, calligraphy, or antiques remained elusive—they had to rely on experts to determine authenticity and market value. In 2016, at a Sotheby’s auction, a portrait by a Dutch artist sold for over NT$300 million, only to later be revealed as an elaborate forgery. Forgeries in art have existed throughout history, and wherever there is high demand, counterfeiting persists endlessly. But who has the final say on the authenticity of art in today’s market?

Moved by this challenge, Dr. Ye combined Western scientific verification methods with Eastern artistic techniques to uncover the true value of artworks, charting new opportunities in the art investment market.

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A Unique, Global Approach: Combining Theory, Practice, and Science in Art Authentication

“My passion for art began with my love for Chinese painting and calligraphy,” Dr. Ye explains. He earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Fine Arts from Taiwan’s National Taiwan Normal University, where he often won first place in Chinese painting and calligraphy competitions. He also received several art scholarships established by Yu You-Ren and held numerous solo exhibitions.

During his student years, Dr. Ye had the chance to interact with veteran antique dealers in Chinese communities. They taught him how to understand the essence of calligraphy and painting by copying works from masters. This experience sparked his interest in the techniques and practical methods of authenticating artworks.

After completing his master’s degree, Dr. Ye noticed that the field of Chinese painting and calligraphy authentication had only a few decades of systematic development. To delve deeper, he traveled to the United Kingdom, which boasts a 270-year history in art authentication, to study Western logic and practical theories. He learned from experts such as Professor Sullivan, an authority on Western art studies and Chinese modern art history, and Professor Wang Tao, now the Asian Art curator at the Art Institute of Chicago.

Under their mentorship, Dr. Ye studied art styles, creative methods, and market practices, as well as forensic and document examination techniques under Dr. Henry Lee. By combining Eastern and Western philosophies with hands-on experience, he developed his unique approach to Chinese art authentication.

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Unearthing Lost Pieces of History

One of Dr. Ye’s most memorable cases involved a client who commissioned him to authenticate a collection of Hu Shi’s works and belongings. While organizing the items, he discovered crumpled scraps of paper in a corner. These turned out to be small, handwritten notes in English. Intrigued, Dr. Ye offered to authenticate them.

Upon examination, he identified the notes as letters written by Hu Shi to Henry Luce, founder of Time magazine, expressing Hu’s views on the handling of the Lei Zhen case. Dr. Ye’s discovery unearthed a missing piece of history that illustrated Hu’s staunch defense of democracy and freedom.

The authenticated manuscripts not only garnered significant historical and educational value but also attracted fierce competition among collectors, eventually fetching an extraordinary auction price.

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Authentication: The Deepest Form of Appreciation

An art authenticator must not only distinguish real from fake but also assess the quality of a piece and determine its value. To establish a comprehensive methodology applicable across cultures, Dr. Ye compiled his findings into Mo Hai Chun Qiu—Collection and Connoisseurship Research into Chinese Painting and Calligraphy, creating a unique system of art authentication.

“My goal is to help outstanding artworks find their rightful value. I hope this book can provide a foundation of knowledge for art enthusiasts, helping them identify authenticity and learn proper authentication methods,” Dr. Ye said.

With 750,000 words, the book organizes academic theories into a systematic structure and includes market data and case studies on ancient and modern Chinese artworks. It features nearly 2,000 images printed in colors close to the originals, allowing readers to appreciate world-class masterpieces up close. Dr. Ye’s innovative evaluation tools, including the “Painting/Calligraphy Authenticity Assessment Chart,” explanations of insider terms, and analysis of common forgery techniques, are highlights of this monumental work.

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Expanding Art Appreciation and Knowledge

Dr. Ye founded the Mo Hai Lou International Art Research Group, specializing in art authentication and research. The institute also hosts exhibitions of renowned painters and calligraphers, along with classes on art appreciation and authentication. Through these initiatives, he hopes to help people explore the true essence of art while uncovering its authentic value.

Recently, Dr. Ye curated the “True vs. False Art Appreciation Exhibition” in the central corridor of Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall. The exhibit provides basic knowledge about art authentication and unveils the secrets of detecting forgeries. Influencers like Professor Susu and Haolun were deeply inspired after visiting the exhibition and created explanatory videos to share with others.

The exhibition, open to the public free of charge until May 12, invites everyone to channel their inner Sherlock Holmes and explore the mysteries of art authentication. Don’t miss the chance to uncover the secrets of this fascinating field!