Revealing underdrawings in wall paintings of complex stratigraphy with a novel reflectance photoacoustic imaging prototype
Year: 2021
Authors: Chaban A., Tserevelakis G.J., Klironomou E., Fontana R., Zacharakis G., Striova J.
Autors Affiliation: National Institute of Optics INO-CNR, Florence, 50125, Italy; Institute of Electronic Structure and Laser, Foundation for Research and Technology Hellas, Heraklion, Crete, 70013, Greece
Abstract: Revealing precious hidden features by a completely non-invasive approach is one of the crucial issues in the Heritage Science field. In this regard, concealed fresco paintings still represent an analytical challenge. This paper addresses the specific issue in wall painting diagnostics by the photoacoustic (PA) imaging technique, already proven to be efficient in revealing underdrawings and internal stratigraphy in movable paintings on paper and canvas. A newly set-up reflection PA prototype was applied here for the first time to probe the charcoal, graphite and sinopia hidden sketch drawings in concealed (gypsum, limewash, overpainted) wall paintings. The results presented here push forward the frontiers of the PA imaging technique and point to its potential effectiveness of revealing hidden underdrawings in historical wall paintings with complex stratigraphy.
Journal/Review: JOURNAL OF IMAGING
Volume: 7 (12) Pages from: 250-1 to: 250-12
KeyWords: photoacoustic; infrared reflectance; non-invasive; underdrawings; wall paintings; complex stratigraphyDOI: 10.3390/jimaging7120250