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Abstract
Noninvasive methods of near-infrared, short-wave infrared, and thermographic inspection of artwork are described in this article and compared in terms of their ability to reveal both hidden graphite underdrawings and subsurface degradations. This inspection aids the understanding of the artist's work methods and locates hidden areas of damage. While all three inspection methods are suitable for locating sketches and changes in composition, this study has proven that thermographic methods are very useful in detecting structural defects such as delaminations and cavities, as demonstrated with experiments conducted on test samples and real paintings.
Résumé–Cet article décrit les méthodes non destructives d'imagerie pour l'examen des peintures telles que le proche infrarouge, l'infrarouge à ondes courtes et la thermographie, tout en les comparant dans leur habileté à révéler des dessins sous-jacents au graphite et des dégradations cachées sous la surface picturale. Ces méthodes d'examen permettent de mieux comprendre la technique picturale de l'artiste et de localiser des zones de dommage invisibles à la surface. Alors que les trois méthodes sont adéquates pour localiser des ébauches et des changements dans la composition, cette étude a prouvé que les méthodes thermographiques sont très utiles dans la détection de défauts dans la structure des couches, tels que les décollements et les cavités, comme l'ont démontré les essais menés sur des éprouvettes et de vraies peintures.
Resumen–Métodos no invasivos de infrarrojo cercano, infrarrojo de onda corta e inspección termografía de obras de arte son descritos en este articulo y comparados en termino de su habilidad para revelar tanto los dibujos de grafito escondidos debajo de la pintura, como la degradación por debajo de la superficie. Esta inspección contribuye a entender los métodos de trabajo de los artistas y ubica áreas ocultas de daño. Siendo que los tres métodos de inspección son apropiados para ubicar bosquejos y cambios en la composición, este estudio comprobó que los métodos termográficos son muy útiles para detectar defectos estructurales tales como delaminación y cavidades, como se pudo demostrar por medio de experimentos hechos en muestras de prueba y en pinturas reales.
Resumo–Métodos não-invasivos de infravermelho próximo, infravermelho de ondas curtas e inspeção termográfica de obras de arte são descritos neste artigo e comparados em termos de sua capacidade de revelar tanto a grafite oculta sob os desenhos quanto as degradações da subsuperfície. Esta inspecção auxilia a compreensão dos métodos de trabalho do artista e localiza áreas de danos ocultas. Embora todos os três métodos de inspeção sejam adequados para determinar a situação de esboços e alterações da composição, este estudo demonstrou que os métodos termográficos são muito úteis para a detecção de defeitos estruturais, tais como delaminações e cavidades, como foi demonstrado pelos experimentos realizados com amostras de teste e pinturas reais.
Acknowledgments
This research was performed with support from the Institute for Diagnostic Imaging Research and from the Premier of Ontario Catalyst Award for the best innovation in 2007. The team would like to express their gratitude to Tessonics Corp., Canada, and the University of Windsor, Canada, for their infrastructure support.
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Additional information
Notes on contributors
Dmitry Gavrilov
Dmitry Gavrilov graduated from Moscow Engineering Physics Institute in 2005, and now is a PhD student and researcher at the Institute for Diagnostic Imaging Research (IDIR), Windsor, Canada. His field of work includes noninvasive methods of analysis of multilayered structures—preliminary diagnostics and authentication of objects of art, such as canvas- and wood-based paintings. The spectrum of interests includes infrared and ultraviolet radiographies, X-ray and advanced thermographic methods of analysis as well as art materials characterization with the aid of X-ray fluorescence, Raman spectroscopy, and mass spectrometry. Address: Department of Physics, 401 Sunset Ave., University of Windsor, Windsor, ON, Canada N9B 3P4. Email: [email protected]
Elena Maeva
Dr. Elena Maeva is an associate professor in the Department of Physics, University of Windsor, Ontario, Canada. She received combined BSc and MSc degrees from D. Mendeleev's University of Chemical Technology of Russia, with specialization in physics and chemistry of polymers. She obtained her PhD degree in material science with specialization in physics and chemistry of polymers from the Institute of Physical Chemistry of Russian Academy of Sciences. Her research areas are the nondestructive methods of investigation of physical, mechanical, and chemical properties of composite, biocomposite materials, the environmental effects on the materials properties, and degradation processes. She is the Chair of the Division of Industrial and Applied Physics (DIAP) of Canadian Association of Physicists (CAP). Address: as for Gavrilov. Email: [email protected]
Oleg Grube
Oleg Grube graduated from Latvian Academy of Arts in 1974. At the same time he started to study and work as a restorer of oil paintings in the Museum of Latvian and Russian Classical Art in Riga, Latvia. Oleg Grube worked in various museums in Riga. Before coming to Canada in 1997 he was the Head of Conservation Department in the Museum of the History of Medicine of Latvia. He practiced restoration and gave his expert opinion in Canada, Germany, and Denmark. To date, he has been employed as the pictorial art expert in “Gallery Sixty-eight Auctions” auction house. Address: Tessonics Inc., 1983 Ambassador Dr., Windsor, ON, Canada N9C 3R5.
Igor Vodyanoy
Dr. Igor Vodyanoy is a Program Manager at the Office of Naval Research (ONR). He is also a visiting professor at the Imperial College London, where he is carrying out an advanced research program in membrane biophysics using Conducting Ion Microscopy. He also served as Science Adviser to Warfighter Performance Department Head and Associate Director of ONR Europe for science and technology. Dr. Vodyanoy received his education at Leningrad Polytechnic Institute and Institute of Cytology USSR Academy of Sciences. He pursued academic research in biophysics at the University of California Irvine, at NIH and since 1988 at ONR. He has authored about 80 research papers, edited books and organized a number of scientific meetings. His research revealed fundamental properties of polymer transport and water properties in nano-sized water pores. His current research interest is in biological signal transduction, stochastic resonance phenomenon, and cell membrane dynamics. Dr. Vodyanoy is also interested in art examination technologies. Address: Office of Naval Research, 875 N. Randolph St., Suite 1425, Arlington, VA 22203-1995, USA. Email: [email protected]
Roman Maev
Dr. Roman Gr. Maev received combined BS and MSc degrees from the Moscow Engineering Physics Institute in 1969, and PhD from the Physical N. Lebedev Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences in 1973. In 2001, he received a Dr Sc and in 2005 Full Professor Diploma in Physics from the Russian Federation Government. In 2008, Dr. Maev was appointed Director General of the Institute of Diagnostic Imaging Research, Windsor, Ontario, Canada. He has published over 300 articles, various reviews, three monographs, and holds 23 patents. Dr. Maev holds many awards for his research results, most notably: Centenary Ernst Abbe Medal, 1989; Ontario Premier's Catalyst Award and Canadian Association of Physicists Gold Medal, both in 2007. Address: Institute for Diagnostic Imaging Research, 401 Sunset Ave., University of Windsor, Windsor, ON, Canada N9B 3P4. Email: [email protected]