Integrating Digitization and Advanced Imaging of HMML Icons

Abstract

HMML (The Hill Museum & Manuscript Library) digitized and hosted online a recently donated collection of Orthodox 19th Century religious icons. With R.B. Toth Associates they also conducted collaborative testing of multispectral imaging on these unique HMML collection objects. A joint team digitized all the icons in conjunction with multispectral imaging of a select few icons to analyze the dyes, paints, and other materials. The goal of this testing helped determine the feasibility of using multispectral imaging as an art history research tool. The image data enabled digital cataloguing of the collection, which proved indispensable during COVID on-site access restrictions. Digitization and advanced imaging with standardized digitization and data management practices is providing new insights into these unique historic works that are applicable to other icon collections, as well as potentially other artwork on wood and solid substrates.