Nondestructive Evaluation of Heritage Object Coatings with Four Hyperspectral Imaging Systems

Abstract

Advanced imaging techniques can noninvasively characterise, monitor, and evaluate how conservation treatments affect cultural heritage objects. In this specific field, hyperspectral imaging allows nondestructive characterisation of materials by identifying and characterising colouring agents, binders, and protective coatings as components of an object’s original construction or later historic additions. Furthermore, hyperspectral imaging can be used to monitor deterioration or changes caused by environmental conditions. This paper examines the potential of hyperspectral imaging (HSI) for the evaluation of heritage objects. Four cameras operating in different spectral ranges were used to nondestructively scan a beehive panel painting that originated from the Slovene Ethnographic Museum collection. The specific objective of this research was to identify pigments and binders present in the samples and to spatially map the presence of these across the surface of the art piece. Merging the results with databases created in parallel using other reference methods allows for the identification of materials originally used by the artist on the panel. Later interventions to the original paintings can also be traced as part of past conservation campaigns.

A novel proposal to investigate the interplay between the spatial and spectral domains in near-infrared spectral imaging data by means of Image Decomposition, Encoding and Localization (IDEL)

“…The results obtained in this work can be generalized to any application field employing spectral imaging for the visualization of materials characterized by high morphological content, such as biological tissues [48], wooden materials [49][50][51], or remote sensing [52]. The integration of the proposed approach with other data analysis techniques, like multivariate curve resolution (MCR), will also be investigated.…”

Imaging perfusion changes in oncological clinical applications by hyperspectral imaging: a literature review

“…HSI was originally employed in remote sensing applications 16,17 and then expanded into other fields, such as vegetation type and water source detection 18,19 , wood product control 20 , drug analysis 21 , food quality control [22][23][24][25] , artwork authenticity and restoration 26,27 , and security 28 . HSI is also an attractive modality in the medical field and has been successfully applied for the detection of various types of tumors, particularly in conjunction with histopathologic diagnosis.…”

Reflectance Measurement Method Based on Sensor Fusion of Frame-Based Hyperspectral Imager and Time-of-Flight Depth Camera

“…Hyperspectral imaging has been used in many fields. It can be used non-destructively to conserve, preserve and research objects of our cultural heritage, such as art and historical artifacts [6][7][8]. Many applications apply depth information to hyperspectral images in long range imaging, such as in aerial imaging in forestry [9] and agricultural applications.…”