Eleni Kouloumpi

Shearography as part of a multi-functional sensor for the detection of signature features in movable cultural heritage

This is one of a series of papers submitted by the Multi-Encode Project consortium (006427 (SSPI)). Shearography, a full-field speckle interferometry technique, is applied to the investigation of movable cultural heritage. For this project a portable shearography sensor was developed, with conventional sensor hardware supported by novel algorithms and instrument control software. The sensor has been used for an extensive measurement program, the purpose of which is to develop an Impact Assessment Procedure; this is to determine the capabilities of a shearography sensor in this measurement application. Data from the sensor, which shows the location of defects in the artwork, is stored in a database for future analysis and comparison. The particular advantages identified for incorporating shearography in a multi-functional sensor are the ability to measure unstable objects, such as gently vibrating canvas paintings, adjustable interferometric sensitivity and a different sensitivity parameter (displacement gradient) to the other sensors investigated. This work will assist in fulfilling the aims of the project, the detection of signature features for security purposes and the study of changes in artwork for conservation purposes.

Fully-Non-Contact Masking-Based Holography Inspection on Dimensionally Responsive Artwork Materials

Environmental control in galleries and museums is a necessity and is informed by the knowledge of ongoing processes of deterioration which can threaten the integrity and stability of artworks. Invisible dimensional changes in many works of art occur following environmental fluctuations as materials respond to the changes in humidity and temperature. The constant influence of dimensional changes usually remains invisible until displacement generates visible deterioration and irreversible damage. This paper exploits fully non contact coherent interferometry in a sequential masking procedure for visualising and studying surface deformation which is the direct effect of dimensional alterations induced by humidity changes. Surface deformation during dimensional displacements of constituent materials may occur on any artwork within an unstable environment. In this context, the presented research study explores the diagnostic potential of fully non contact sensors for the direct structural assessment of environmental effects as they occur in real time on works of art. The method is employed to characterise material responses, complementing and improving understanding of material behaviour in unstable environments.

Multifunctional Encoding System for Assessment of Movable Cultural Heritage

This is an introductory paper of a recent EC project dealing with research in cultural heritage and aiming to communicate new fields of application for optical metrology techniques. The project is in its initial state and more conclusive information is expected to be available at the time of the perspective conference. Nowadays safety, ethical, economical and security issues as well as the increase demand for loaning of art objects for exhibitions in transit, are forcing the Conservation Community to undertake strong initiatives and actions against various types of mistreatment, damage or fraud, during transportation of movable Cultural Heritage. Therefore the interest directs to the development of innovative methodologies and instrumentation to respond to critical aspects of increased importance in cultural heritage preservation, among which of prior consideration are: to secure proper treatment, assess probable damage, fight fraud actions in transportation.

Egg yolk identification and aging in mixed paint binding media by NMR spectroscopy.

NMR spectroscopy is a powerful analytical tool for the identification and quantitative analysis of organic materials in a cultural heritage context. In this report, we present an analytical NMR protocol for the identification and semiquantification of egg yolk binders and mixed binding media that also contain a drying oil, namely linseed oil. The samples studied have been artificially and/or naturally aged in order to simulate the composition of organic materials in paintings. Analysis of the 1D and 2D NMR spectra showed that egg yolk can be identified even in binding media of considerable age via signals originating from cholesterol and/or cholesterol oxidation products present in the aged binding medium. Based on cholesterol‐related and other lipid signals in the NMR spectra of egg yolk binders, a molecular marker (R/F) that suggests the presence of egg yolk in paint binders is proposed. Via this marker, the presence of egg yolk in the organic material obtained from an early 18th century Greek icon is confirmed, and this is further verified by 2D NMR spectroscopy. It is demonstrated that NMR molecular markers developed to estimate the hydrolysis/oxidation state of oil paintings are also suitable for the analysis of egg yolk and mixed medium (egg yolk–linseed oil) binders, indicating the generality of the NMR methodological approach in the analysis of organic materials in a cultural heritage context. Copyright

Role of dynamic holography with photorefractive crystals in a multi-functional sensor for the detection of signature features in movable cultural heritage

This paper is one of a series submitted by the Multi-Encode Project consortium and covers the development of holographic interferometry with dynamic photorefractive crystals. The aim of the first phase of the project is to assess the existing techniques for detection of signatures in various types of artworks. The trademark of our technique is a very high resolution in the fringe pattern. We will show the potentiality of our technique for the present application.

Photorefractive Holographic Interferometry for Movable Artwork Assessment

Photorefractive holographic interferometry is applied to assessment of movable artworks. Its role is to observe tiny signatures resulting from internal artwork characteristics. In the future, the system will be used for both antifraud and restoration.

Modern technology in originality and authentication dispute on movable and detached artworks

Begin the abstract two lines below author names and addresses. The abstract summarizes key findings in the paper. It is a paragraph of 250 words or less. For the keywords, select up to 8 key terms for a search on your manuscripts subject. Precious artworks are in constant loan due to the increase demand for tour exhibitions around the globe. Archeological findings and historical parts of wallpaintings are detached and get into the route of a fraud market. Most of these detached art pieces are lost, destroyed or hidden by public view by anonymous collectors. The damage to the historical, cultural and aesthetic values is most of the times irreversible. Originality and authentication are essential properties in the identification of movable artworks provoking dispute and fraud actions endangering the long-lasting public approach to the precious but disputed works of art. Scientific community and technology developments are implemented in the battle against fraud and misinterpretation of origin through systematic and material classified studies. European projects have influenced and provoked intense research in this fragile field of modern technology applications and recent results are presented. Investigation protocols and classification needed for the standardization of valuation of these critical properties comprise an intense field of research embraced with international interest. In this paper it is presented long-lasting research effort with photonic technologies to bridge the results with the conventional means and the conservation expert opinion aiding to the identification and ensuring the origin of a masterpiece. Results from laboratory investigation and characteristic examples of paintings faced with the dispute of their authentication are given.

Integrated Research on Sixteenth to Early Nineteenth Century Panel Paintings: Chromatographic and Spectroscopic Characterisation of Paint Layers

The term “Post-Byzantine art” refers to an artistic movement that appeared in the mid-fifteenth century and lasted until the early nineteenth century (Clogg 2002). The movement started immediately after the fall of the Byzantine Empire in 1453 and it marked the beginning of one of the most important periods in Greek art history. The Post-Byzantine era represented a transitional period when the art of panel painting changed style, from religious to secular, due to significant exchanges with the western world. At the same time, the artists’ technique evolved; the painters changed their method from egg tempera on wooden panel to oil painting on canvas. Cultural influences also brought changes in the iconographic types: the artists exempted themselves from the strict Byzantine rules of depiction, in order to allow themselves free expression.

Development of impact assessment procedure and preliminary results with digital holographic speckle pattern interferometry for signatures multi-encoding use

The deterioration of cultural heritage is of major concern for gallery conditions and loan considerations worldwide. Artwork deterioration may increase during transportation and exhibitions or mishandling. Decisions about gallery conditions and loan requirements shall need reconsideration if findings based on artworks undergoing these procedures prove that impose catastrophic dimensional fluctuations. In this context, non interacting and non contact methods are useful in order to monitor the continuous changes in the monitored artwork. The presented paper refers to this application of high importance for the preservation of cultural heritage and forms part of the European project Multiencode (006427 SSPI). Holography techniques, in either optical and digital acquisition, are known to allow full field observation of object points displacement. In addition to the importance provided by the techniques of revealing hidden discontinuities within an object, the procedures that have been developed which can be used to visualize and study deformations following environmentally induced alterations are similarly important. The interferometric formation which results in fringe patterns which correspond to hidden defects can be used as a key-indicator to control and monitor accidental or intentional interventions which may effect an object and hence result in an alteration of the originally-revealed fringe pattern information. Thus, in this paper the specific steps taken to develop an Impact Assessment Procedure for the assessment and evaluation of the fringe pattern alterations deduced by the implementation of a Digital Holographic Speckle Pattern Interferometry(DHSPI) system is presented and examples of the application are given.