Mobile depth profiling and sub-surface imaging techniques for historical paintings—A review

Alfeld, Matthias; Broekaert, J. A. C.

doi:10.1016/j.sab.2013.07.009

Cited by 114 publications

(80 citation statements)

References 159 publications

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“…Figure 1 Schematic representation of (A) full field imaging and (B) scanning pencil-beam imaging methods: these can operate in either (C) transmission or reflection geometry; of (D) conventional computed X-ray tomography (employing cone beam illumination) and (E) computed X-ray laminography (employing parallel beam irradiation). Adapted from [4] and [2].…”

Section: X-ray Based Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Motivation (a) is essentially of art-historical nature and seeks to reconstruct (better) the past/history of an artwork while motivation (b) is more strongly linked to preventive conservation and to conservation technology, and therefore mostly concerned with the future of the artwork [1]. Of course, for conservation, an understanding of the history of a work of art and the artist's intent is fundamental, since it provides the basis for assessing the current condition of the art work and for deciding which interventions are (not) appropriate [4]. In what follows, we mainly review recent activities that involve the use of strongly penetrative radiation (from either the X-ray or IR range of the EM spectrum); the interested reader is referred to reviews [1][2][3][4] for a broader treatment of the topic, including related spectroscopic investigations.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Of course, for conservation, an understanding of the history of a work of art and the artist's intent is fundamental, since it provides the basis for assessing the current condition of the art work and for deciding which interventions are (not) appropriate [4]. In what follows, we mainly review recent activities that involve the use of strongly penetrative radiation (from either the X-ray or IR range of the EM spectrum); the interested reader is referred to reviews [1][2][3][4] for a broader treatment of the topic, including related spectroscopic investigations. Also Liang's 2012 review of multispectral and hyperspectral imaging using mainly visual radiation is a useful complementary resource in this respect [5].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Examination of historical paintings by state-of-the-art hyperspectral imaging methods: from scanning infra-red spectroscopy to computed X-ray laminography

et al. 2014

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The development of advanced methods for non-destructive selective imaging of painted works of art at the macroscopic level based on radiation in the X-ray and infrared range of the electromagnetic spectrum are concisely reviewed. Such methods allow to either record depth-selective, element-selective or species-selective images of entire paintings. Camera-based 'full field' methods (that record the image data in parallel) can be discerned next to scanning methods (that build up distributions in a sequential manner by scanning a beam of radiation over the surface of an artefact). Six methods are discussed: on the one hand, macroscopic X-ray fluorescence and X-ray diffraction imaging and X-ray laminography and on the other hand macroscopic Mid and Near Infrared hyper-and full spectral imaging and Optical Coherence Tomography. These methods can be considered to be improved versions of the well-established imaging methods employed worldwide for examination of paintings, i.e., X-ray radiography and Infrared reflectography. Possibilities and limitations of these new imaging techniques are outlined.

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Section: X-ray Based Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Examination of historical paintings by state-of-the-art hyperspectral imaging methods: from scanning infra-red spectroscopy to computed X-ray laminography

et al. 2014

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“…On one hand, mobile non-destructive subsurface imaging and depth profiling techniques that allow in situ investigation of easel paintings, i.e., paintings on a portable support were summarized in depth in [13]. On the other hand, chemical and physical analyses can be used together on polychromatic objects in order to approximately date unknown and ancient restorations via x-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectroscopy and SEM-EDX (energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy coupled to scanning electron microscopy) techniques [14,15].…”

Section: Cie Abbreviation Wavelength Spectral Response Abbreviation Wmentioning

confidence: 99%

IR Reflectography and Active Thermography on Artworks: The Added Value of the 1.5–3 µm Band

et al. 2018

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Featured Application: The work described in this study can assist in the selection of an appropriate tool for art work inspection. In addition, the authors hope to provide an overview of potential application areas for the different measurement instruments discussed within the manuscript. Abstract: Infrared Radiation (IR) artwork inspection is typically performed through active thermography and reflectography with different setups and cameras. While Infrared Radiation Reflectography (IRR) is an established technique in the museum field, exploiting mainly the IR-A (0.7-1.4 µm) band to probe for hidden layers and modifications within the paint stratigraphy system, active thermography operating in the IR-C range (3-5 µm) is less frequently employed with the aim to visualize structural defects and features deeper inside the build-up. In this work, we assess to which extent the less investigated IR-B band (1.5-3 µm) can combine the information obtained from both setups. The application of IR-B systems is relatively rare as there are only a limited amount of commercial systems available due to the technical complexity of the lens coating. This is mainly added as a so-called broadband option on regular Mid-wave infrared radiation (MWIR) (IR-C'/3-5 µm) cameras to increase sensitivity for high temperature applications in industry. In particular, four objects were studied in both reflectographic and thermographic mode in the IR-B spectral range and their results benchmarked with IR-A and IR-C images. For multispectral application, a single benchmark is made with macroscopic reflection mode Fourier transform infrared (MA-rFTIR) results. IR-B proved valuable for visualisation of underdrawings, pencil marks, canvas fibres and wooden grain structures and potential pathways for additional applications such as pigment identification in multispectral mode or characterization of the support (panels, canvas) are indicated.

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“…Artists often recycled these materials for various reasons such as unsuccessful compositions, unpaid commissioned paintings or unsatisfied clients. The number of discoveries related to reused canvases hiding unknown preparatory drawings or even finished paintings under later applied compositions is constantly growing [1][2][3][4][5]. This is mainly due to non-invasive imaging methods that are now at the disposal of scientists and are capable of reading the hidden compositions.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Non-invasive sub-surface analysis of the male portrait underlying the Titian’s Studio Ecce Homo

2017

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The present study discusses new research on the analysis of a portrait of a male figure discovered under the painting of Ecce Homo, attributed to the studio of Titian (ca. 1488Titian (ca. -1576, with an estimated date in the 1550s. The portrait was examined with non-invasive methods: X-ray radiography (XRR), digital microscopy and micro-XRF. The examination of XRR images exposed the details of the painting's underlying depiction, which according to the details preserved appears to be a completed or nearly finished portrait of a standing man. The application of digital microscopy on the Ecce Homo painting's cracks enabled the identification of the work's stratigraphy. Micro-XRF performed on selected spots allowed to identify lead white, vermilion, red iron oxide, umber, carbon black and copper green in the underlying portrait. The described investigation methodology was guided by the close visual analysis of the Ecce Homo work and proved to be effective in the identification of the pigments of the hidden painting and the reconstruction of its colour palette.

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Mobile depth profiling and sub-surface imaging techniques for historical paintings—A review

Cited by 114 publications

References 159 publications

Examination of historical paintings by state-of-the-art hyperspectral imaging methods: from scanning infra-red spectroscopy to computed X-ray laminography

Examination of historical paintings by state-of-the-art hyperspectral imaging methods: from scanning infra-red spectroscopy to computed X-ray laminography

IR Reflectography and Active Thermography on Artworks: The Added Value of the 1.5–3 µm Band

Non-invasive sub-surface analysis of the male portrait underlying the Titian’s Studio Ecce Homo

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