OCT for examination of artwork

Year: 2015

Authors: Targowski P., Iwanicka M., Rouba B.J., Frosinini C.

Autors Affiliation: Institute of Physics, Department of Physics, Astronomy and Informatics, Nicolaus Copernicus University, Crawley, WA, Australia; Institute for the Study, Restoration and Conservation of Cultural Heritage, Nicolaus Copernicus University, Torun, Poland; Opificio delle Pietre Dure e Laboratori di Restauro, Firenze, Italy

Abstract: In this chapter the application of OCT to examination of objects of cultural heritage is given. The knowledge about the structure of the object of art is necessary both for inventory purposes and planning/monitoring of conservation-restoration treatments. Due to its noninvasiveness OCT is well suited for such applications. The major limitation is in the lack of transparency of certain structures. Specific requirements, advantages and limitations of use of the OCT technique in this area are discussed first. Then the overview of applications to easel paintings, historic glass, and craftsmanship is given, followed by two examples of monitoring the laser ablation with OCT: very local in case of Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS), and more general in case of laser ablation of the varnish layer. Then the examples of application of OCT to examination of paintings are given: investigation of deterioration of the varnish layer in the “Adoration of the Magi” by Leonardo da Vinci (Uffizi, Italy), imaging of overpaintings on two 17th and 18th c. oil paintings on canvas, and visualization of specific case of retouching located between two layers of varnish in the “Madonna with Yarnwinder” (attributed to L. da Vinci, private property.

Journal/Review: JOURNAL OF THE OPTICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA B-OPTICAL PHYSICS

KeyWords: Ablation; Atomic emission spectroscopy; Laser induced breakdown spectroscopy; Varnish, Conservation restorations; Cultural heritages; Laserinduced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS); Leonardo da vinci; LIBS; Noninvasive examination; Private property; Structural examination, Laser ablation
DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-06419-2_82