1
|
Gargano M, Viganò D, Cavaleri T, Cavaliere F, Ludwig N, Pozzi F. A Tailor-Made, Mirror-Based Infrared Scanner for the Reflectography of Paintings: Development, Features, and Applications. SENSORS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 23:s23094322. [PMID: 37177526 PMCID: PMC10181599 DOI: 10.3390/s23094322] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2023] [Revised: 04/11/2023] [Accepted: 04/23/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
Since infrared reflectography was first applied in the 1960s to visualize the underdrawings of ancient paintings, several devices and scanning techniques were successfully proposed both as prototypes and commercial instruments. In fact, because of the sensors' small dimension, typically ranging from 0.1 to 0.3 megapixels, scanning is always required. Point, line, and image scanners are all viable options to obtain an infrared image of the painting with adequate spatial resolution. This paper presents a newly developed, tailormade scanning system based on an InGaAs camera equipped with a catadioptric long-focus lens in a fixed position, enabling all movements to occur by means of a rotating mirror and precision step motors. Given the specific design of this system, as the mirror rotates, refocus of the lens is necessary and it is made possible by an autofocus system involving a laser distance meter and a motorized lens. The system proved to be lightweight, low cost, easily portable, and suitable for the examination of large-scale painting surfaces by providing high-resolution reflectograms. Furthermore, high-resolution images at different wavelengths can be obtained using band-pass filters. The in-situ analysis of a 16th-century panel painting is also discussed as a representative case study to demonstrate the effectiveness and reliability of the system described herein.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marco Gargano
- Dipartimento di Fisica Aldo Pontremoli, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria 16, 20133 Milano, Italy
| | - Daniele Viganò
- Dipartimento di Fisica Aldo Pontremoli, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria 16, 20133 Milano, Italy
- Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare (INFN), Sezione di Milano, Via Celoria 16, 20133 Milano, Italy
| | - Tiziana Cavaleri
- Centro per la Conservazione ed il Restauro dei Beni Culturali "La Venaria Reale", Via XX Settembre 18, 10078 Venaria Reale, Italy
- Dipartimento di Economia, Ingegneria, Società e Impresa (DEIM), Università della Tuscia, Via del Paradiso 47, 01100 Viterbo, Italy
| | - Francesco Cavaliere
- Dipartimento di Fisica Aldo Pontremoli, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria 16, 20133 Milano, Italy
| | - Nicola Ludwig
- Dipartimento di Fisica Aldo Pontremoli, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria 16, 20133 Milano, Italy
| | - Federica Pozzi
- Centro per la Conservazione ed il Restauro dei Beni Culturali "La Venaria Reale", Via XX Settembre 18, 10078 Venaria Reale, Italy
| |
Collapse
|