How to reveal the invisible: the fundamental role of diagnostics for religious painting investigation

Abstract

This paper reports the study of a little panel painting, from a private collection, which represents a landscape with figures dated back to a period between 19th and 20th century. When the painting was observed for the first time it immediately appeared evident the presence of another painting under the visible surface. This evidence was supported by the observation of small traces of colour in correspondence of lacunae of the surface painting and by the presence of an ancient wooden support. For these reasons it was decided to perform a non-invasive diagnostic campaign in order to understand the stratigraphy of the panel paintings and consequently to choose if removing the landscape. Video microscope acquisitions, infrared reflectography, ultraviolet fluorescence photography, X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy, radiography and wood characterization were selected as non-invasive and micro-invasive diagnostic techniques able to supply information useful for painting investigation and detection. The combined use of these techniques revealed the presence of a beautiful and well-preserved painting, hidden by the landscape representation. The ancient painting shows the Virgin with the Child and Saint Catherine from Alexandria (16th century). Due to this extraordinary result, it was chosen to remove the contemporary painting and restore the old representation.