A method to assess the hygro-mechanical behaviour of original panel paintings, through in situ non-invasive continuous monitoring, to improve their conservation: a long-term study on the Mona Lisa

Coupling numerical and experimental methods to characterise the mechanical behaviour of the Mona Lisa: a method to enhance the conservation of panel paintings

“…The study of the hygro-mechanical behaviour of the artwork will be discussed in a future publication. Previously published work [23][24][25][26][27] confirmed the relevance of integrating computational tools with experimental data directly obtained from the original artwork being studied. This approach, which has been gaining ground in recent years [20][21][22]28], has necessarily required collaboration among scientists, conservators and restorers, and can be considered as an important step towards fully integrating this kind of research for the in-depth knowledge and conservation of the physical structure of the wooden artwork.…”

“…Since 2004, the wooden panel on which Leonardo da Vinci painted his Mona Lisa has been studied by an international research team under the request of the curators of the Louvre Museum. Several experimental campaigns have been carried out to observe, measure, monitor and understand its mechanical, hygroscopic and shape characteristics and behaviour, to evaluate its present state of conservation, and to provide related suggestions [23]. The work of the international research team was mainly developed around the following interrelated topics:…”

“…i. studying the artwork by direct observation and measurements (typically once a year, during the few hours when the Mona Lisa panel is out of its climate-controlled display case, for the routine inspection of its conservation conditions, or for the execution of specific studies or measurements) [23]; ii.…”

“…monitoring the mechanical behaviour (namely forces and deformations) of the panel in the exhibition case, by special ad-hoc equipment, conceived and implemented specifically for this task [23]; iii.…”

Heat and Moisture Induced Stress and Strain in Wooden Artefacts and Elements in Heritage Buildings: A Review

“…In the monitoring of artworks in an open environment, a further challenge is represented by connection problems of cables and data logging systems. To deal with this issue, ad hoc and advanced equipment have been developed for monitoring buildings and small artefacts [129,151,152].…”