MULTISPECTRAL IMAGING OF PAINTINGS. Potentialities and Limitations of the technique in relation with the chemical and optical properties of the pictorial materials

This thesis focuses on the application of multispectral images for the analysis of pictorial materials in comparison with the traditional UV-fluorescence photography and infrared reflectography. The assessment of multispectral imaging for the study of pictorial materials was supported by other analytical techniques such as reflectance and fluorescence spectroscopy, X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF), UV-visible absorption spectroscopy and Total Attenuated Reflectance - Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR). The multispectral imaging was tested on swatches of pictorial layers (constituted by ancient and modern pigments), binders (egg and linseed oil) and natural varnishes. For the organic materials, accelerated ageing methods (photo-chemical and thermal degradation) were used to model the optical and chemical changes occurring during the lifetime of a painting. In addition, a diagnostic investigation was performed on two paintings placed in "Accademia di San Luca" (Rome) by means of UV-fluorescence photography, radiography, reflectance spectroscopy, X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy, UV-VIS-NIR multispectral imaging. Multispectral images, comparing to traditional techniques, permit to individuate specific spectral behaviors, and, in some cases, to identify the pigment and/or non-homogeneous areas of the pictorial or varnish layers. The possibility to select some infrared wavelengths allows to see details of the preparatory layers, leading to a more accurate analysis of the technique of execution. However, the limitations of multispectral images for the identification of complex mixtures and/or different layers of materials depending on the type of filter used