Chemical Imaging of Works of Art at the Macro Scale: Visible and Near Infared Reflectance Spectroscopy of Paintings and Works on Paper

Summary: This symposium, the culmination of a five-year grant by The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, covers the technological development and implementation of imaging instrumentation, key findings obtained when applied to works of art, and the implications for art history. Scientists, conservators, and art historians document the success of this project and highlight state-of-the-art work occurring at the National Gallery of Art and other institutions around the world using imaging methods based on reflectance spectroscopy in the visible, near-infrared, and mid-infrared, and x-ray fluorescence spectroscopy. John Delaney, senior imaging scientist, National Gallery of Art, Washington, DC, explains what reflectance imaging spectroscopy is, the types of information that can be gleaned from it, and the ideal cameras for studying works of art. Delaney spoke at a one-day symposium held at the National Gallery of Art on September 21, 2015, which was supported by The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation.