The application of state-of-the-art technologies to support artwork conservation: Literature review

Abstract

The conservation of artwork is an important aspect of preserving human culture and artistic expression. Both knowledge and technology can be essential in artwork conservation. Without such knowledge, the lifespan of numerous works of art by artists spanning over centuries might have been compromised and consequently not exist today. Artwork naturally deteriorates over time or can be damaged unknowingly through artificial processes. Art conservators strive to improve the condition of artwork through non-destructive preservation and restoration procedures. These can be time consuming and require significant patience when diagnosing artwork and applying the suitable process. For many years this work has been assisted by various technologies such as photography, x-ray imaging, and speckle pattern interferometry. More recently there has been an introduction of newer technologies allowing conservators to gather even more details about the artwork. Improvements to classic analytical tools such as spectroscopy and infrared imaging have been applied to artwork analysis. Moreover, the use of computing power for photogrammetry and artificial intelligence for pattern recognition have seen use in studying artwork digitally. This article provides a review of the state-of-the-art technologies used in art conservation with some investigation into their established counterparts. Some of the technologies covered here include x-ray fluorescence spectroscopy, holographic interferometry, Raman spectroscopy, thermal-quasi reflectography, and terahertz imaging. These techniques allow the detailed analysis of paintings, murals, statues, and other artefacts providing details about the surface topology, stylometry, pigment and media constituents, and restoration history. The integration of all these factors can provide art conservators and historians with important information on various artwork and ultimately assist in conservation for many years to come.