Integration of image data from 2D and 3D optical techniques for paintings conservation applications

Similarly to the medical field, where a diagnosis is generally established on the basis of the results of more than one test, also in the conservation field specialists are greatly interested in having the possibility to combine different diagnostic methods. In this work, we present a number of bi-dimensional and three-dimensional optical techniques for painting diagnostics, and the possibilities offered by their integration. Three imaging systems are described: an IR-RGB scanner, an hyper spectral scanner, and a UV-VIS multi-spectral system. Two devices developed for 3D survey are then presented: a laser-line scanner and a conoscopic micro-profilometer. In order to illustrate the advantages related with the acquisition of a variety of these different techniques and methodologies in painting diagnostics, we present the results obtained on an ancient panel painting, the “Portrait of Lionello d’Este” by Antonio Pisano.