Service: Scanning VIS-NIR multispectral reflectography
Platforms
Molab
Techniques
Scanning vis-nir multispectral reflectography (395 – 2500 nm)
Organization
Italy
Service contact persons
Multispectral imaging analysis offers amazing possibilities for diagnosis and study of artworks. Depending on the radiation used (e.g., visible VIS, infrared IR), the reconstructed images may reveal information that cannot be retrieved from a simple observation of the object. Results obtained are of extraordinary importance not only for the documentation of the artwork’s conservation status, but also for its preservation and memory. In particular, VIS radiation allows for spectrophotometric characterization of the painted surface entailing colour variation analysis, which may turn definitely useful for restoration purposes - e.g. for monitoring colour changes due to either the cleaning or aging. NIR radiation, thanks to the transparency of most pigments in this spectral region, enables the visualization of features underneath the painted surface, such as sketches of underdrawing, pentimenti and retouchings. The Multispectral Scanner is revolutionary in the field of VIS-NIR reflectography, as it provides a set of high-resolution images, simultaneously acquired at different wavelengths in a huge spectral region, ranging from 395 to 2500 nm. The stack of images, which are self-registered and aberration-free, facilitates the study of painting materials and hidden details, enabling to shed light on the artist’s technique and realization stages.
Multispectral imaging analysis offers amazing possibilities for diagnosis and study of artworks. Depending on the radiation used (e.g., visible VIS, infrared IR), the reconstructed images may reveal information that cannot be retrieved from a simple observation of the object. Results obtained are of extraordinary importance not only for the documentation of the artwork’s conservation status, but also for its preservation and memory. In particular, VIS radiation allows for spectrophotometric characterization of the painted surface entailing colour variation analysis, which may turn definitely useful for restoration purposes - e.g. for monitoring colour changes due to either the cleaning or aging. NIR radiation, thanks to the transparency of most pigments in this spectral region, enables the visualization of features underneath the painted surface, such as sketches of underdrawing, pentimenti and retouchings. The Multispectral Scanner is revolutionary in the field of VIS-NIR reflectography, as it provides a set of high-resolution images, simultaneously acquired at different wavelengths in a huge spectral region, ranging from 395 to 2500 nm. The stack of images, which are self-registered and aberration-free, facilitates the study of painting materials and hidden details, enabling to shed light on the artist’s technique and realization stages.
Max. surface area 1 m2
Fields of application
Applied physics Arts (broad discipline) Optics Physics
Materials
Color (pigment) Blue verditer (pigment) Wulfenite (pigment) Lemon yellow (pigment) Imperial green (pigment) Sky blue (pigment) Royal green (pigment) Aerinite (pigment) Asphaltum (pigment) Carnation (pigment) Ocher (pigment) Ultramarine blue (pigment) Light red (pigment) Ultramarine green (pigment) Ultramarine violet (pigment) Ultramarine yellow (pigment) Atacamite (pigment) Umber (pigment) Mica (white pigment) Indian red (pigment) Goethite (pigment) Synthetic inorganic green pigment Yellow ocher (pigment) Indian yellow (pigment) Synthetic inorganic blue pigment Yellow pigment Smalt (pigment) Prussian blue (pigment) Prussian green (pigment) Tyrian purple (colorant) Indian madder (colorant) Alizarin (natural colorant) Dry color Artist's color
Methods
Other information
  • Output: images in TIFF format, reflectance spectra, colourimetric coordinates, false colour images, PCA analysis