EUREKA PROJECT > 4466 CPAM
HUNGARY
Complex Painting Analysis Method
To use complex investigation methods to identify oil paintings and to filter fakes with an emphasis on art treasures from the 19th century. Another goal is to generate a web database which supports identification and quick searches.
Status > FINISHED - 22-Aug-2011 Technological Area Market Area Start Date > 31-Jul-2008 Duration > 24 Months Participating countries > HUNGARY, GERMANY | Main contactTondo SP1 Kft. Mrs. Zsofia Vegvari > CEO http://www.tondo.hu, www.festmenyvizsgalat.hu Organisation type > SME |
Project Description
The Complex Painting Analysis Method - CPAM consists of 5 optical techniques which have been combined to define the origin, provenance and genuineness of paintings. So far art historians have used only subjective methods to define oil paintings: they nowadays work with a UV (Ultraviolet) lamp and a magnifier. By using these methods, experts can draw conclusions about the artist of a painting only superficially. By means of our developed technology we offer an objective application instead of these subjective methods. On the auction market, pictures by famous painters change owners for a high price. These highly valuable paintings have been investigated with objective technologies such as X-ray, XRF and luminescence examinations in a few cases only. However most of the results do not increase the credibility of the auction market, but facilitate the restoration phase. After investigating the hidden layer and the metal-content of the painting, we can tell whether or not it was repainted in the past. The project will offer both an investigation method available for everyone and an extended painting analysis , which provides a summary of the genetic conditions of paintings based on physical and chemical investigations. Fields of use: The main fields are categorising pictures at museums, auction markets and private collections, and making non-fakeable fingerprints of painting and artefacts for researchers based on a searchable database of a pigment compound. Technologies used in the Complex Painting Analysis Method: 1) 3-dimensional data acquisition with 3D scanner. With this technology, repainted pictures can be filtered out, underlayers of restored paintings become visible and 3 dimensional data with the accuracy of microns recorded. With this investigation method, we document the condition of the paintings, and make the processed strokes, so that the mark of the artist is unrepeatable. 2) 3-dimensional data acquisition with a new multi-spectral 3D scanner: this technological development is entirely new in the market. The multi-spectral scanner allows for gathering 3D data from the non-visible parts of the paintings. This technological innovation is recommended in cases when bitumen is used. The paint layer under the bitumen becomes visible again; the structure of it can be measured in the XYZ coordinate system. 3D scans and 3D IR (Infrared) or ultra violet scans can be compared. 3) 2D colour, infrared, ultraviolet photography with high resolution digital camera. Distortions of 2D pictures made in different wavelengths can be measured by comparing them with each other. 4) Mobile direct digital X-ray apparatus to investigate repainted pictures. Searching for hidden pictures that can be part of the painters life-work to investigate the painting technique. Investigations of underpaintings and sketches. 5) XRF (x-ray fluorescent) analysis to chart the pigment substance of the paintings and to detect the representative colour use of artists based on a material compound. Searchable database and provenance determination of pictures with comparison analysis. The property of the method: The measurements (moisture, light, temperature) taken in accredited, monitored circumstances provide perfect, calibrated data from the pictures. Introduction of the ISO-standard to investigate art treasures (note: all the measuring systems are of ISO-standard).
Technological Development Envisaged
Nowadays, optical analysis, which is about using a magnifier and UV(ultraviolet) lamp, is one of the most well-known investigation methods in the art treasure market. There are more advanced and powerful methods, but unfortunately the high price of a complex analysis has not let it spread, until now. Art treasures of great value, such as artefacts from Raffaello or Leonardo, have been investigated with such techniques, especially by famous museums and research institutes. Destructive testing and x-ray diffraction analysis are more comprehensive analysis methods but these techniques are not mobile. Thus, measurements cannot be made on the spot, e.g. in the museum, paintings have to be transported to the testing equipment, e.g. at a research institute. In most cases a special permit has to be obtained for the destructive testing. A mobile direct digital X-ray apparatus is similar to a traditional x-ray system. It emits x-ray which is recorded digitally, and thus the gathered data is visible immediately on the monitor of the computer. This method investigates repainted pictures, searches for hidden pictures that can be part of the painters life-work, and investigates the painting technique, underpaintings and sketches. XRF (x-ray fluorescent) analysis uses the principle of x-ray reflection. It uses x-ray to analyse chemical content and pigment substance. In the last few years, initial attempts have been made to scan valuable paintings with high definition 3D-surface scanners. These scanners are based on the principle of fringe projection techniques. Fringe patterns are projected onto the surface to be measured. If this surface is not flat, the fringes are deformed characteristically by the shape of the object. By recording the scattered fringe patterns with a camera under a given angle, the 3D-geometry of the object can be calculated due to the principles of triangulation. Those topometrical 3D-scanners offer high resolution and accuracy; by using white light sources and colour cameras, they allow for recording both the 3D-structure and colour / texture information of objects.
Main contactBreuckmann GmbH Dr. Bernd Breuckmann > C.E.O. Organisation type > SME |
Contribution to project
Based on the existing companys know-how and technology, BREUCKMANN will develop a new multi-spectral 3D-surface scanner. This scanner will allow for High Definition scanning of objects, especially paintings, in different wavelengths, from near IR (Infrared) to deep blue. The scanner will be based on fringe-projection technique adapting methods, which are known for the multi-spectral image processing in the 2D-domain. One of the most important technological challenges will be to develop an optical setup and calibration strategy, which allows for precise digitisation of objects in different wavelengths without re-calibration. To achieve this goal, a new approach will be realised and tested, combining white light and monochromatic light sources, e.g. high-power LEDs (Light-Emitting Diode), colour filters and polarisers. Thus, we expect to develop a scanning device with unique features, which is nevertheless compatible with our existing product line. The 3D-dimensional scanning of paintings in different wavelengths will result in extremely large data files. Therefore, it will also be necessary to develop algorithms for the compressing of 3-data, which retain the wavelengths specific details of the surface relief.
Expertise
BREUCKMANN GMBH is a steadily growing and highly innovative company, concentrating for nearly 20 years on the research, development and manufacturing of high performance surface scanning systems, based on fringe projection technology. The product spectrum of BREUCKMANN covers high definition 3D-scanners for a wide range of applications, suitable for the digitisation of objects with highest resolution including texture and colour information. There are several thousand companies, institutes and universities using BREUCKMANN scanners in industry (e.g. automotive, electronics, plastics) as well as for medical, dental and cosmetic applications. For about 5 years, BREUCKMANN has successfully disseminated these techniques into cultural heritage, especially archaeology, anthropology and palaeontology. About 3 years ago BREUCKMANN also started with the 3-dimensional digitisation of paintings. BREUCKMANN also has more than 20 years of experience in the development of software tools for image processing, pattern recognition as well as for the acquisition, visualisation and quantitative analysis of 3D-data.
Main contactTondo SP1 Kft. Mrs. Zsofia Vegvari > CEO http://www.tondo.hu, www.festmenyvizsgalat.hu Organisation type > SME |
Contribution to project
The dissemination of technological results in the market. We want to develop an investigation method which combines existing techniques and can support the identification of paintings, statues and sculptures as a unit. The developed technology and know-how help us to filter fakes and support the cataloguing and systemising of artefacts.
Expertise
TONDO SP1. developed the Complex Engineering Service 3 years ago. The main point of the service is that we have combined units used by industry that allow the customer to get from the idea to the ready product through our company. The Complex Engineering Service consists of: 3D scanning and editing, Reverse Engineering, and 3D colour prototyping. We have built up the Complex Painting Analysis based on this development and the already successfully functioning service.