Non destructive testing of works of art by stimulated infrared thermography

Abstract

In this work, we present various examples of assistance to the restoration of works of art by stimulated infrared thermography. We show initially that the method allows the detection of delamination located in mural paintings, such as in the «Saint Christophe» of the Campana collection of the Louvre French museum. We show then that it also makes it possible to detect delaminations or galleries of worms in marquetries. We show in a third stage that it provides for the detection of detachment of greyness in stained glasses. We show in a fourth stage that it allows the visualization of shards or metal insert located in a Greek "panathénaïque" amphora of the French National museum of the Ceramics of Sevres. We show finally, that the method permits the detection of a crack located in an ovoid vase of the same National museum of the Ceramics of Sevres.

Comparative assessment of stained‐glass windows materials by infrared thermography

“…Grisailles showed the most important increase in surface apparent temperature during the illumination because of their lower albedo, and subsequent higher absorption of thermal radiation (Figure A, B). A similar effect was observed in a glass piece with grisaille from the French Cathedral of “Chartres” analyzed by photothermal analysis …”

“…[17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24] In case of mosaics, IR thermography permits to evaluate the mortar and the suitability of the consolidative materials and treatments. 24,25 The application of IR thermography is not only focused on constructions, it has been also applied on paintings on canvas or wood, [26][27][28][29] tapestries, 30 books 31,32 and archaeological artifacts 33,34 to evaluate their conservation state, to detect hidden damages and to improve their conservation strategies. However, studies on historical glasses are scarce and they are focused on the detection of grisaille detachments.…”

“…However, studies on historical glasses are scarce and they are focused on the detection of grisaille detachments. 34 The main drawback for applying IR thermography on glasses is their behavior on the infrared region of the electromagnetic spectrum (wavelength in the range of 0.75-1000 lm). Silicate glasses are mostly transparent to solar radiation (short-wave infrared) and opaque to thermal radiation (mid-and long-wave infrared).…”

Detection of NaCl located in mural painting by stimulated infrared thermography

“…It is then composed of a bolometer camera FLIR SC 655 type. It is a "long waves" camera well adapted to the murals paintings analysis [50]. Finally, the device comprises a synchronization electronic and a data acquisition and post processing.…”

Non-destructive testing of works of art by stimulated by infrared thermography: PPT interest

“…These three laboratories have worked together for over 10 years. This collaboration has already shown, using stimulated infrared thermography, the possibility to detect delamination located in heritage murals paintings (painted walls of the church of "Saint Florentin" in "Bonnet", painted ceilings of the Abbey of "Saint Savin sur Gartempe" -World Heritage of UNESCO ...) [39][40][41][42][43][44][45][46][47][48][49][50][51][52][53][54]. However, one of the problems encountered during this collaboration was the variable sensitivity of the pictorial layer according to the excitation flux.…”