Mathematics and art are related in a variety of waysmathematics has itself been described as an art motivated by beautymathematics can be discerned in arts such as music dance painting architecture sculpture and textilesthis article focuses however on mathematics in the visual arts. The identification of pigments on manuscripts paintings enamels ceramics icons polychromes and papyri is critical in finding solutions to problems of restoration conservation dating and authentication in artwork and many techniques molecular and elemental have been used for this purpose. Mathematics and art have a long historical relationship.