Multi-Dimensional Analysis of An Multi-Dimensional Analysis of An Oil PaintingOil Painting

Center of Imaging Science

Rochester Institute of Technology

Pano Spiliotis

May 7,1999

OverviewOverview

• Background

• Procedure

• Results

• Evaluation of data

• Conclusion

BackgroundBackground

• Multi-dimensional segmentation.– Using image capturing protocols and multi-

dimensional segmentation, artifacts that are present in works of art will be easily identified.

• New approach in finding artifacts in oil paintings.

OverviewOverview

• Background

• Procedure

• Results

• Evaluation of data

• Conclusion

Camera SetupCamera Setup

• Monochrome CCD camera

• Ultraviolet Black Light (Blue light)

• Tungsten Light Source

• Infrared Filter

Important that images

are in registration.

IlluminationIllumination

• Three types– Ultraviolet– Visible– Infrared

Ultraviolet IlluminationUltraviolet Illumination

• Ultraviolet Illumination– New Varnish– Over-painting

Visible IlluminationVisible Illumination

• Topographical Inspection– Canvas Repair– Buckling of Canvas– Over-painting

Infrared IlluminationInfrared Illumination

• Infrared filter is presented to the system.– Under-drawing– Areas that are not present in the UV and VIS.

Flat FieldingFlat Fielding

• Procedure taking a non-uniformly illuminated image and resulting in an evenly illuminated image.

non-uniformly illuminated image Flat-fielded image

Image Segmentation

• Looking for common areas.

• Segmentation of a common area.

• Trial and error.

• Save common area as an image and pixel value.

OverviewOverview

• Background

• Procedure

• Results

• Evaluation of data

• Conclusion

Results

Visible image Infrared image

Ultraviolet image

2-D Segmentation Program

Visible Image

Infrared Image

Visible Image

Infrared Image

Pseudo Coloring

Visible Image

Infrared Image

After Segmentation

Visible Image

Infrared Image

Visible Image

Infrared Image

OverviewOverview

• Background

• Procedure

• Results

• Evaluation of data

• Conclusion

Evaluation of results

• Areas that have been segmented reveal artifacts.

• John Sutton, Associate Conservator from The West Lake Conservators, was called in to prove these findings.

• The halo is not the original halo painted.

ConclusionConclusion

• Research proved to be successful.

• 2-D Segmentation provides art conservator’s with a tool to validate their discoveries.