Air-coupled imaging method applied to the study and conservation of paintings

Abstract

An air-coupled acoustical imaging method for the study of wooden panel paintings is presented. After a brief overview of the state of the art, an introduction is given regarding the production technique of the art object under investigation. The technology employed is described in detail, as well as the proposed method. After a feasibility campaign of experiments, real ancient paintings have been investigated by means of a through-transmission and a single-sided lay-out. Defects were imaged in all the objects examined and in both the configurations adopted.