Novel integration of non-invasive imaging techniques for the analysis of an egg tempera painting by Pietro Lorenzetti

Year: 2023

Authors: Dal Fovo A., Mattana S., Ruberto C., Castelli L., Ramat A., Riitano P., Cicchi R., Fontana R.

Autors Affiliation: CNR, Ist Nazl Ott, Largo Enr Fermi 6, I-50125 Florence, Italy; Ist Nazl Fis Nucl INFN, Via Bruno Rossi 1, I-50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy; Univ Firenze, Dipartimento Fis & astron, Via Sansone 1, I-50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy; Opificio Pietre Dure, Via Alfani 78, I-50122 Florence, Italy.

Abstract: The identification of an artist’s palette through the application of non-invasive techniques is a challenging goal due to the
huge variety of artistic materials that constitutes a painting. An effective approach is to combine several techniques providing complementary
information in order to minimise the risk of misinterpreting the data. In this paper, we propose a multi-analytical method
comprising three non-invasive mapping techniques, namely Reflectance Imaging Spectroscopy (RIS), Macro-X-Ray Fluorescence
(MA-XRF) and Fluorescence Lifetime Imaging (FLI), for the study of a fourteenth-century painting by Pietro Lorenzetti from
the Uffizi Gallery collection. For the low-cost and time-saving interpretation and integration of the data provided by the different
techniques, a purposely developed software for multivariate statistical analysis was used. FLI data were acquired with a prototype
applied for the first time on a work of art, and the data were processed with a method based on phasor analysis. The information
obtained was discussed within a multidisciplinary team of experts on painting materials and data processing belonging to both the
scientific and the conservation community.

Journal/Review: EUROPEAN PHYSICAL JOURNAL PLUS

Volume: 138 (1)      Pages from: 71-1  to: 71-14

More Information: This research was supported by Regione Toscana (POR FSE 2014–2020, “Giovanisì”, Intervention Program “CNR4C”, CUP B15J19001040004) and IPERION HS – Integrating Platforms for the European Research Infrastructure ON Heritage Science Project (DFM.AD006.166).
KeyWords: Selection; Identification; Binders
DOI: 10.1140/epjp/s13360-022-03639-x

Citations: 5
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