Claudia Invernizzi

Non-invasive identification of organic materials in historical stringed musical instruments by reflection infrared spectroscopy: a methodological approach

The analysis of historical musical instruments is becoming more relevant and the interest is increasingly moving toward the non-invasive reflection FTIR spectroscopy, especially for the analysis of varnishes. In this work, a specific infrared reflectance spectral library of organic compounds was created with the aim of identifying musical instrument materials in a totally non-invasive way. The analyses were carried out on pure organic compounds, as bulk samples and laboratory wooden models, to evaluate the diagnostic reflection mid-infrared (MIR) bands of proteins, polysaccharides, lipids, and resins by comparing reflection spectra before and after the KK correction. This methodological approach was applied to real case studies represented by four Stradivari violins and a Neapolitan mandolin.

Automatic Analysis of UV-Induced Fluorescence Imagery of Historical Violins

In recent years, UV-induced fluorescence (UVIFL) photography has proven to be very effective when studying the surface of historical musical instruments, such as violins. This technique makes it possible to highlight superficial details not clearly perceptible with visible light (e.g., retouchings, superficial distribution of varnishes, or wear). The data retrieved are also an important guide for further noninvasive spectroscopic analyses used when the chemical composition of the surface needs to be investigated. However, UVIFL imagery interpretation of a historical violin is no trivial task. In fact, constant playing and the multiple restorations over the centuries have produced very complex surfaces. This work presents an automatic tool designed to facilitate this kind of analysis. Using a quantized histogram in HSV color space, the distribution of the main fluorescence colors on an instrument’s surface can be highlighted, recurrence of the same color in different areas of the same violin can be detected, or different violins can be compared. UVIFL images of seven Stradivarius violins kept in the Museo del Violino in Cremona, Italy, were used as a test set. The results achieved endorse the validity of the proposed approach.

An Interactive Tool for Speed up the Analysis of UV Images of Stradivari Violins

UV fluorescence photography is widely use in the study of artworks, in particular for the analysis of historical musical instruments. This technique allows seeing important details which cannot be observed with visible light, such as retouching, different paints coats or worn areas. The complexity of the interpretation of the surface of a violin is proportional to its state of preservation: more alterations correspond to a more wide range of colors. We designed an interactive tool able to help the scientist to understand the composition of the surface and in particular the distribution of the colors on the entire instrument, avoiding perception illusion. The result is achieved using a quantized histogram in HSV color space. The tests were performed on UV imagery of the Stradivari violins collection stored by “Museo del Violino” in Cremona.

Innovative Monitoring Plan for the Preventive Conservation of Historical Musical Instruments

Innovative Monitoring Plan for the Preventive Conservation of Historical Musical Instruments Giusj Valentina Fichera , Michela Albano , Giacomo Fiocco , Claudia Invernizzi , Maurizio Licchelli , Marco Malagodi 1,3 and Tomaso Rovetta 1 CISRiC Arvedi Laboratory of Non-Invasive Diagnostics, University of Pavia, Cremona, Italy; Department of Chemistry, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy; Department of Musicology and Cultural Heritage, University of Pavia, Cremona, Italy

Mid and Near-Infrared Reflection Spectral Database of Natural Organic Materials in the Cultural Heritage Field

This study presents mid and near-infrared (7500-375 cm−1) total reflection mode spectra of several natural organic materials used in artworks as binding media, consolidants, adhesives, or protective coatings. A novel approach to describe and interpret reflectance bands as well as calculated absorbance after Kramers-Kronig transformation (KKT) is proposed. Transflection mode spectra have represented a valuable support both to study the distorted reflectance bands and to validate the applicability and usefulness of the KK correction. The aim of this paper is to make available to scientists and conservators a comprehensive infrared reflection spectral database, together with its detailed interpretation, as a tool for the noninvasive identification of proteins, lipids, polysaccharides, and resins by means of portable noncontact FTIR spectrometers.