Detective Fox examined a forged painting. The forger had meticulously copied a famous 17th-century masterpiece down to every brushstroke. However, Fox immediately knew it was a fake because of the vibrant blue pigment used in the sky. Why did this give it away?
The specific blue pigment was invented centuries later.
Synthetic ultramarine or cobalt blue was not invented until the 19th century, making its presence in a 17th-century painting an instant giveaway of forgery.
About this riddle
Detective riddles are tiny mysteries. Look for the detail in the story that does not fit; it is usually the clue that solves the case.
Difficulty: Hard. More like this: Detective riddles with answers or try Truth & Lie Island for a different kind of puzzle.
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