Open AccessRelics in medieval altarpieces? Combining X‐ray tomographic, laminographic and phase‐contrast imaging to visualize thin organic objects in paintings
Author(s) -
Krug Kris,
Porra Liisa,
Coan Paola,
Wallert Arie,
Dik Joris,
Coerdt Andrea,
Bravin Alberto,
Elyyan Muthaffar,
Reischig Péter,
Helfen Lukas,
Baumbach Tilo
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
journal of synchrotron radiation
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.172
H-Index - 99
ISSN - 1600-5775
DOI - 10.1107/s0909049507045438
Subject(s) - synchrotron , painting , tomographic reconstruction , high contrast , materials science , radiography , phase contrast imaging , tomography , art , optics , computer graphics (images) , computer science , phase contrast microscopy , physics , art history , radiology , medicine
X‐ray radiography is a common tool in the study of old master paintings. Transmission imaging can visualize hidden paint layers as well as the structure of the panel or canvas. In some medieval altarpieces, relics seem to have been imbedded in the wooden carrier of paintings. These are most probably thin organic fibrous materials such as paper or textile, which in traditional radiography are shadowed by the more absorbing surrounding material. This paper studies the application potential of synchrotron‐based tomographic and laminographic imaging complemented with phase‐contrast imaging for detection of such relics. The techniques are applied to a dummy painting. The results demonstrate that by using these imaging methods it is possible to three‐dimensionally visualize hidden cavities in panels and detect thin fibrous low‐ Z materials sandwiched between a high‐ Z paint layer and a thick wooden panel.