The Life Scientific: Jehane Ragai

The Life Scientific: Jehane Ragai

From Discovery by BBC World Service

March 16, 2026 · 26 min

About this episode

The episode explores the scientific techniques used to reveal forged artworks through the insights of Jehane Ragai.

Ever heard of the unsuccessful Dutch painter who decided to humiliate his critics by forging Vermeers, which the artworld subsequently dubbed 'masterpieces'? Or the businessman who bought a Marc Chagall painting that he displayed with pride for years, before a television investigation revealed to his horror that it was a fake? Today we're exploring the scientific techniques used to reveal forged artworks - and bring down scammers still trying to make millions from fake masterpieces. Jehane Ragai is an Emeritus Professor of Chemistry at the American University in Cairo, with a passion for science matched by her love of arts and culture. Early in her career Jehane helped analyse the Great Sphinx of Giza and later became fascinated by the world of art forgery, leading to her acclaimed book, ‘The Scientist and the Forger’. Her life has not been without its difficulties, but - perhaps unsurprisingly, as the daughter of renowned Egyptian feminist Doria Shafik - she’s not one to shy away from a challenge. And as she tells Professor Jim Al-Khalili, Jehane feels priveleged to have been able to integrate her twin passions into a career; advice she now passes on to her students

People in this episode

Host: Jim Al-Khalili

Guest: Jehane Ragai

Topics covered

  • art forgery
  • scientific techniques
  • cultural heritage
  • chemistry
  • art history

Keywords

  • art forgery
  • scientific analysis
  • Jehane Ragai
  • Great Sphinx
  • art history
  • forged masterpieces
  • cultural heritage

Mentioned in this episode

Places: American University in Cairo, Great Sphinx of Giza

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