Mid-wave Infrared Reflectography and Thermography for the Study of Ancient Books: A Review

ABSTRACT

In this paper an overview of recent applications of mid-wave infrared imaging techniques to the study of books is presented. Studies performed by thermography and mid-wave infrared reflectography are reviewed to demonstrate how they can be used to investigate the main features of books. The capability of these techniques is exploited in the analysis of structural elements of the bookbindings and writing supports as well as in the characterization of the writings and illuminations. Thermographic and reflectographic results are compared with results obtained using other imaging techniques operating in different spectral regions, thus pointing out how mid-wave infrared imaging techniques can help in examining many aspects of books. Finally, it is shown that the obtained information can also be used to evaluate the condition of the book and, when required, to properly plan conservation treatments.

KEYWORDS:

• MWIR imaging techniques
• ancient books
• infrared thermography
• reflectography
• book preservation

Acknowledgements

I would like to thank Fulvio Mercuri, Stefano Paoloni, Ugo Zammit, and Cristina Cicero from the Dipartimento di Ingegneria Industriale, Università degli Studi di Roma Tor Vergata, and Giovanni Caruso from the CNR-ITBC for their suggestions and advice which were very helpful for the writing of this work. I wish to thank Mirella Fidomanzo, Biblioteca Angelica of Rome for its contribution to this work. I would like to thank Francesco Petrucci and Daniele Petrucci, Palazzo Chigi of Ariccia (Rome), for the possibility to perform the thermographic investigation on the Chigi’s family tree paper painting. I also thank Maria Letizia Sebastiani and Maria Luisa Riccardi, ICRCPAL, Gianfranco Cattai, FOCSIV, Orietta Verdi, and Paolo Buonora, Archivio di Stato di Roma, for their precious suggestions. The images of the manuscript Libro Sacro are reproduced by permission of the FOCSIV.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).