Who we are
The Artentika Story
Our art research project started in 2008, when we realized that there was an urgent need to develop tools to help protect the art world from pervasive fraud. Artentika (Pty) Limited was incorporated in South Africa in 2017 and invented a groundbreaking art authentication solution patented in the United States in 2022. Uniquely, it is multi-modal and combines several cutting-edge technologies in the field of image and materials analysis with data-driven approaches. Artificial Intelligence also plays a role, but AI is not a silver bullet and cannot be relied upon in isolation. In effect, the true value of science for the realm of art lies in complementing, not replacing, the expertise of art historians, conservators, and appraisers. We pioneered further groundbreaking technologies to expose forgeries, establish accurate ownership histories, and safeguard the true value of artworks.
The Team
We have built a multi-disciplinary team of nine world-class professionals with impressive track records in the field of art, business, culture and technology. They stand ready to execute our business plan and create value for shareholders. Four of them hold PhDs in a variety of fields:
- Imaging Spectroscopy
- Hyperspectral Data
- Synthetic Chemistry
- Photogrammetry
Our Chief Heritage Scientist, Carolien Coon, is finalizing her doctoral thesis on “Photodegradation and nanotechnology-based conservation”.
Mr Albertus Geldenhuys
Founder & CEO
Geldenhuys has bachelor’s degrees in economics, languages, and ethnology. A self-taught IT specialist, he invented, co-invented and patented various technologies to detect and prevent fraud, notably in the field of art, pharmaceuticals, and biometrics. Artentika’s art authentication technology was conceived and patented by him. Geldenhuys is bilingual in Afrikaans and English, fluent in French and German and intermittent in Italian.
Prof Roxanne Radpour
Art Technology Advisor
She is a specialist in imaging spectroscopy and non-destructive chemical and physical sensing technologies. For over 10 years her research has been focused on research, development, and application of imaging systems, data science, and scientific analysis of various types of cultural heritage. Her work in conservation science, technical art history, and archaeometry helps build our understanding of material heritage and allows us to respond to art conservation queries. She also uses her research as a means to engage and teach students in the sciences, engineering, and art conservation.
Mrs Sixtine Crutchfield
Art Commerce Executive
A renowned figure in the world of Fine Arts with over 25 years of experience. She graduated at the University of Denver with a Bachelor’s in Mass Communication including History of Art and History of Theatre. Her first job was with the world-famous Jan Krugier gallery in Geneva where she became a proficient art dealer. Moving to Australia, she obtained a Corporate Law degree from the University of Sydney. In 2003, Krugier invited her to become the Managing Director of his gallery. She also headed Yves Bouvier’s Art Culture Studio, the firm that ran the Moscow World Fine Art Fair in 2004. She speaks fluent English, French, and German.
Dr Tania Kleynhans
Chief Scientist
An expert in Hyperspectral Data and Machine Learning. She is the co-inventor of ArtCo’s art authentication solution. Kleynhans also focuses on remote sensing and its applications in various fields, including heritage science and environmental monitoring. She has authored numerous publications and presented her work at conferences worldwide. Her research interests include the development of low-cost multispectral imaging systems for pigment analysis in works of art, the recovery of damaged or faded historical documents, and the validation of surface temperature data from satellite sensors. Kleynhans is fluent in Afrikaans and English.
Mr Walter Heymans
Chief AI Scientist
He has a Master of Engineering (cum laude) in Computer Engineering and is skilled in Generative Adversarial Networks (GANs), Automatic Speech Recognition, and Computer Vision. Heymans is closely involved in perfecting our authentication technologies and developed the One2One© verification solution. He is bilingual in Afrikaans and English.
Dr Fred Scott
Art Authentication Executive
He is an internationally renowned art adviser and curator with major institutions and corporations amongst his clients. Besides his scientific training and being a Max Planck Fellowship recipient, he is considered one of the world’s top 40 art evaluators. Fred has been entrusted with assembling important private and corporate art portfolios and he owns an exceptional personal art collection. He is bilingual in English and Afrikaans, and proficient in reading French and German.
Dr Nick van der Merwe
Chief Technologist
He has a PhD in Engineering and is an ardent art lover. His thesis is on an image matching scheme for use in the field of close-range photogrammetry. Van der Merwe has extensive knowledge and experience in image processing, biometrics, smartcards, PKI, RFID and information security. He concentrates on art verification, curation and restoration. Van der Merwe is a bilingual English and Afrikaans speaker.
Mrs Carolien Coon
Chief Heritage Scientist
A renowned conservator with 15 years of professional experience. She is a PhD student at the University College London and her project title is “Photodegradation and nanotechnology-based conservation of RP (rapid prototyping) materials (Nanorestart)”. Coon is also developing a method (microfading) to rapidly identify photosensitive RP objects. She is bilingual in English and Afrikaans.
Mrs Margreta de Boer
Company Secretary
She worked in senior positions in banking in Switzerland, the Bahamas and Malta for more than 24 years. Inter alia, she is experienced in due diligence, compliance, asset allocation and investment funds. She is fluent in Dutch, English, Italian and German.