Integration of image data from 2D and 3D optical techniques for painting conservation applications

Abstract

Similarly to the medical field, where a diagnosis is generally established on the basis of the results of more than one test, specialists in the conservation field are also greatly interested in the possibility of combining different diagnostic methods. This work presents a number of bi-dimensional and three-dimensional (3D) optical techniques for painting diagnostics, and the possibilities offered by their integration. Three imaging systems are described: an IR-RGB scanner, a hyperspectral scanner and a UV-VIS multispectral system. Two devices developed for 3D survey are then presented: a laser-line scanner and a conoscopic micro-profilometer. In order to illustrate the advantages related to the acquisition of a variety of these different techniques and methodologies in painting diagnostics, the results obtained on an ancient panel painting, the Portrait of Lionello d'Este by Antonio Pisano are presented.