Cultural heritage: ENEA presents a new laser scanner at the Ferrara Restoration Fair

Is called diapason and it is the latest generation laser scanner made by researchers ENEA  is preferably used for  protection and dissemination of knowledge of the artistic and cultural heritage. Conceived as part of the project E-RIHS, was presented at the 27^ª edition of the International Restoration Exhibition in progress in Ferrara until tomorrow 10 June.

Diapason allows you to realize a multispectral 3D model of the work subject of investigation, thanks to the 7 wavelengths of the laser scanner - from ultraviolet up to first infrared - which allow acquire images unaffected by ambient light overcoming the limits of the devices on the market today. These features make it a suitable tool to evaluate more easily lo 'state of health' of paintings, frescoes, sculptures and archaeological sites.

“Its compact measures allow to reduce the costs of the measurement campaigns avoiding difficulties related to transportability and accessibility at some sites. The post-production phase of the acquired images, and therefore the study and monitoring of the works, will be simplified by the regularity and 'cleanliness' of the generated data set ", explains Massimiliano Guarneri, the researcher of the ENEA Diagnostics and Metrology Laboratory who worked on the prototype.

Specifically, the device, capable of operating up to a distance of 15m, combines the performance of two prototypes already in use at ENEA: the one with 3 visible wavelengths and the one with infrared laser, the latter capable of running under the first layer of pigment, making visible, for example in the oil paintings, afterthoughts, preparatory studies and previous restoration interventions.

"Diapason, as well as the metal fork that emits standard notes on which to tune musical instruments, combines information from different wavelengths in a 3D model - continues Guarneri - which contains specifications previously accessible not only with different instruments but also with long and complex editing work. In the past we have worked on the digitization of numerous and important works of art through the combined use of the infrared laser and the 3D color laser scanner, while managing various logistical complications, since we had to use different tools, and with a post work. - more expensive production ".

With this technique, the works “Self-portrait” and “La Primavera” by the seventeenth-century painter were “acquired” Mario DeFiori, preserved in Palazzo Chigi di Ariccia (Rome), as well as the "Portrait of Pope Gregory XIII", a XNUMXth century work by the Italian painter Scipio Pulzone, currently kept at the Villa Sora Salesian Institute in Frascati (Rome) and also famous for having recently been part of the works of art exhibited in a series of exhibitions organized in Japan as part of the "Sol Levante nel Rinascimento italiano" project , curated by the Tokyo Fuji Art Museum. In the specific case, the 3D model obtained highlighted some details, such as the handkerchief held in the Pope's right hand or part of the drapery depicted in the upper right corner, currently no longer easily visible to the naked eye due to the inevitable darkening that painting has undergone over time.

“From today, thanks to Diapason, it will be possible to reach these results through simpler, faster and less expensive operations”, concludes the researcher.

For more information

Massimiliano Guarneri, ENEA - Diagnostics and Metrology Laboratory, Frascati Research Center, Maximilian.guarneri@enea.it