X-Ray Computed Tomography In Situ: An Opportunity for Museums and Restoration Laboratories

Fauzia Albertin,Franco Casali,Matteo Bettuzzi,Maria Pia Morigi,Rosa Brancaccio

doi:10.3390/heritage2030122

Fauzia Albertin, Franco Casali + Show 3 more

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https://doi.org/10.3390/heritage2030122

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Abstract

X-ray Computed Tomography (X-ray CT) is a sophisticated non-destructive imaging technique to investigate structures and materials of complex objects, and its application can answer many conservation and restoration questions. However, for Cultural Heritage investigations, medical CT scanners are not optimized for many case-studies: These instruments are designed for the human body, are not flexible and are difficult to use in situ. To overcome these limitations and to safely investigate works of art on site—in a restoration laboratory or in a museum—the X-ray Tomography Laboratory of the University of Bologna designed several CT systems. Here we present two of these facilities and the results of important measurement campaigns performed in situ. The first instrument, light and flexible, is designed to investigate medium-size objects with a resolution of a few tens of microns and was used for the CT analysis of several Japanese theater masks belonging to the collection of the “L. Pigorini” Museum (Rome). The second is designed to analyze larger objects, up to 200 cm and was used to investigate the collection of the so-called “Statue Vestite” (devotional dressed statues) of the Diocesan Museum of Massa.

Highlights

X-ray Computed Tomography (X-ray CT) is a powerful non-invasive and non-destructive technique capable of revealing crucial information about the construction techniques, conservation state, and materials of works of art
Exploiting the high penetration power of X-rays, CT investigates the entire volume of the objects, revealing internal hidden details
We describe two of the transportable X-ray tomographic facilities especially designed and developed by our research group to investigate Cultural Heritage objects. The capabilities of these instruments will be presented through the important results of two recent measurement campaigns: the investigation of a Japanese Theater mask collection of the L

Summary

Introduction

X-ray Computed Tomography (X-ray CT) is a powerful non-invasive and non-destructive technique capable of revealing crucial information about the construction techniques, conservation state, and materials of works of art. The capabilities of these instruments will be presented through the important results of two recent measurement campaigns: the investigation of a Japanese Theater mask collection of the L. Examples are the imaging of superficial layers, being varnish, pigments or preparatory layers, using techniques, such as infrared reflectography [1], ultraviolet fluorescence [2] or the more sophisticated multi and hyperspectral imaging [3,4]. These techniques are safely performed on site with custom instruments, achieving excellent results [5,6]. Single point chemical investigations or the most advanced chemical mapping could be performed on site with instruments such as used in [7,8] or [9,10,11]

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