From the physical restoration for preserving to the virtual restoration for enhancing

Abstract

Digital image processing techniques are increasingly applied to the study of cultural heritage, namely to the analysis of paintings and archaeological artefacts, in order to identify particular features or patterns and to improve the readability of the artistic work. Digital or 'virtual' restoration provides a useful framework where comparisons can be made and hypotheses of reconstruction proposed without action or damage for the original object, according to the adopted general rules for practical restoration. © 2011 Springer-Verlag.