1. What can optical investigations of a painting be useful for ?

Optical art diagnostics is fundamental for the study of an artwork, for the historical and stylistic interpretation, for the assessment of its conservation state and in the investigations prior to a conservation intervention.

2. What kinds of investigations are relevant in order to assess the conservation state of an art work?

Optical non-invasive investigations which provide information about the state of conservation are:

• To render the state of the surface and related degeneration: Raking light photography
• To identify the presence of retouchings, detachments, paint-overs and layers of varnish or waxes: IR reflectography, Multispectral reflectography, UV fluorescence, UV reflectance, Thermography
• To deliver information about the structure of the artwork and on the way the support was realized: X radiography

3. Which sorts of investigations are recommended in order to assess a painting authenticity?

In order to resolve doubts about the authenticity of a painting the following investigation may be suggested:

• IR reflectography, since it allows to identify the execution techniques, the style of the underdrawing, and the possible location of signatures, words or dates
• The comparison between the results of the IR False Color and the UV Fluorescence images, in order to identify and discriminate the use of certain pigments, which are later than the attributed date of a painting. (To this end, supporting analyses are XRF, and Reflectance Spectroscopy)

4. How much may your analyses cost?

The costs vary with the artwork dimensions (since time needed is proportional to them) and depending on where the object is located. We provide free quotations.

5. How long does it take to have an investigation done?

The time needed varies principally depending on the size of the artworks. It is important, then to consider that after the acquisition time state a post-processing stage is also needed.
In general though it will not pass more than a week before the complete result package will be in your hands

6. Are your customers only large institutions or your services may be also useful to private small collectors?

Our services are intended both for large institutions, and for small collectors.

7. Do I have always to bring my art works to you to have them analyzed?

Our device are portable, thus we would come to you if you would prefer this solution

8. Do you need special conditions in order for the investigations to be carried on?

The only real need is that of having enough space in front of the device, generally about 1m from the artwork surface.