IR Reflectography, Pulse-Compression Thermography, MA-XRF, and Radiography: A Full-Thickness Study of a 16th-Century...

Area of Science:

• Art history and conservation science
• Materials science and analysis
• Non-invasive imaging techniques

Background:

• The panel painting 'Madonna della Tenda' is a 16th-century copy attributed to Raffaello Sanzio.
• Cultural heritage studies increasingly utilize multi-analytical and non-invasive approaches for conservation and scientific investigation.
• A diagnostic campaign was conducted at the Centro Conservazione e Restauro, La Venaria Reale, Turin.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the potential of combined non-invasive analytical techniques for investigating a panel painting.
• To analyze the wooden support and preparatory phases of the 'Madonna della Tenda' painting.
• To integrate data from non-invasive methods with micro-sample analysis for comprehensive understanding.

Main Methods:

• X-ray radiography
• Pulse-compression thermography
• Macro X-ray fluorescence
• Infrared (IR) reflectography (Near Infrared - NIR and Short Wave Infrared - SWIR)
• Optical microscopy
• Scanning Electron Microscopy with Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (SEM/EDS)

Main Results:

• Radiography and thermography revealed details of the wooden support, including a hole, wood grain trajectory, an old knot, and a tau-shaped element.
• Macro X-ray fluorescence and IR reflectography provided insights into the ground layer, imprimitura, engravings, and underdrawing.
• Integration of non-invasive data with micro-sample analysis confirmed and complemented findings, highlighting technical-executive aspects of the artwork's creation.

Conclusions:

• The integrated approach using multiple non-invasive techniques offers significant advantages for art investigation and conservation.
• This study demonstrates the effectiveness of combining techniques like X-ray radiography, thermography, XRF, and IR reflectography.
• The findings provide valuable technical information about the 'Madonna della Tenda' painting and showcase the power of multi-analytical strategies.