Imaging techniques

For decades, imaging techniques have played a very important role in the study and conservation of works of art. Classified as imaging methods since they provide information in image format, as opposed e.g. to spectroscopic techniques, which give spectral results. These techniques provide a key advantage by allowing the work to be examined without being "touched" and without requiring any microsampling. Another feature is their exploitation of nearly the entire radiation range of the electromagnetic spectrum, i.e. radiation with wavelengths beyond the visible range. For this reason, they can record information that is indiscernible to the human eye. The type and quality of information obtained each time depends on the available detector (i.e. one photographic camera or a special camera device), the light sources and the work itself. Regardless of the available equipment, imaging techniques can provide information on the technical fabrication of a project, about any invisible underlying paint layers, any whether any areas of the work have undergone any restoration procedures in the past, etc.