math in conservation

Page 1: Introduction

• The speaker expresses gratitude for the invitation and emphasizes the importance of voice projection during the presentation, encouraging audience feedback.

• A dedication is made to Kathy Peterson, who is instrumental in coordinating the event and providing support.

• The talk will cover the intersection of mathematics with art history and conservation, highlighting how mathematicians have aided art historians.

Page 2: Application of Mathematics in Art

• Two primary cases will be explored: the restoration of the Elmitana Church in Italy and the use of mathematics in virtually aging and rejuvenating artworks.

• The Elmitana Church suffered damage during the Second World War due to bombing, particularly affecting significant frescoes, with some being preserved due to prior removal.

Page 3: Gathering Data on Damaged Artworks

• Following the war, art conservators began documenting the damaged pieces, noting fragments and their conditions.

• By the early '90s, it became feasible to digitalize these fragments and consider computational methods for reconstruction, leveraging advances in technology.

Page 4: Digital Image Processing

• The process involved photographing fragments, digitizing images, and managing a large dataset.

• The challenge of reconstructing pieces was likened to solving a puzzle without having all the information, as fragment orientations and positions were unknown.

• The use of digitized images allowed researchers to explore various proposals for reconstruction.

Page 5: Challenges in Image Comparison

• Discusses complications in comparing digitized images due to slight translations or rotations altering the recognition of fragments.

• A proposal involved creating a unique set of harmonized values for digital images to facilitate comparison despite these challenges.

Page 6: Use of Fourier Analysis

• Explains the use of circular harmonics for image transformation, which simplifies the recognition of shapes regardless of their position.

• These mathematical functions allow the representation of images through base forms, assisting in reconstruction efforts.

Page 7: Volunteer Contributions to Reconstruction

• Volunteer efforts included using digitized fragments to fit into a composite representation, where the best fitting fragments were selected based on distinct features.

• The reconstruction emphasized analyzing different placements and potential rotations for fragments.

Page 8: Conservators’ Insights

• Conservators provided crucial insights into the restoration process, emphasizing the importance of authenticity in replacing damaged artwork.

• Highlighted the meticulous nature of reconstructive work, with careful consideration given to color schemes and other details from damaged fragments.

Page 9: Distinction Between Original and Reconstruction

• The reconstruction practices emphasized visual clarity and distinguishing between original artwork and reconstructed elements.

• The restoration level aimed to inform and educate rather than mislead viewers about the historical authenticity of the pieces.

Page 10: Innovations in Presentation

• Discusses a project that involved using smartphone technology to allow viewers to visualize historical reconstructions of artworks.

• This reintroduction of the artwork aimed to provide context and enhance appreciation of the original pieces.

Page 11: X-ray Analysis in Art History

• Introduces a method for analyzing materials in artworks using x-ray techniques, focusing on the canvas and underlying preparations.

• The role of x-rays in identifying layers added depth to understanding the creation process of paintings.

Page 12: Understanding Canvas Preparations

• Details the preparation of canvases for painting, particularly during the 19th century, emphasizing different priming techniques.

• The interaction between paint and canvas preparation can affect the appearance of the final artwork.

Page 13: Identifying Weave Patterns in Canvas

• Discusses methods for analyzing the texture and weave of canvas pieces to infer details about the artworks’ origins and techniques used.

• Identifying the oscillation patterns in fabric could reveal the manufacturing process and influence on the artwork’s execution.

Page 14: Research Findings on Fabric Evidence

• Research demonstrated that common fabric sources were used across various paintings, illustrating connections between different works of art from the same period.

• Museums began applying this knowledge to authenticate and re-evaluate artwork.

Page 15: Case Study on Velázquez Paintings

• The application of fabric analysis led to the discovery that previously dismissed works were actually associated with master painters such as Velázquez, enhancing their historical value.

Page 16: Early Image Analysis Project

• Recaps the speaker’s initial experience in applying image analysis within art history about 15 years ago.

• Demonstrates the evolution of their collaborative efforts and the development of more complex analytical questions in subsequent projects.

Page 17: Wave Analysis Methodology

• Outlines the use of wave analysis to determine which features and styles are prominent in artwork.

• Describes the blurring technique used in image processing to isolate significant details in paintings.

Page 18: Detecting Edges in Blurred Images

• The process of identifying differences between blurred images helps highlight important features and edges, essential in understanding artistic techniques.

Page 19: X-ray Fluorescence in Painting Analysis

• Introduces x-ray fluorescence as a method to analyze the composition of paints used by artists, revealing underlying layers and historical context.

Page 20: Insights into Van Gogh's Techniques

• Discusses the use of x-ray technology to uncover hidden illustrations by Van Gogh, offering insights into his creative process and material choices.

Page 21: Color Analysis from X-ray Fluorescence

• Details how x-ray fluorescence can be used to identify the specific pigments utilized in a painting, aiding in accurate restorations and reconstructions.

Page 22: Challenges in X-ray Imaging

• Challenges faced during the imaging process due to the limitations of existing x-ray technology, particularly concerning the movement of paintings during analysis.

Page 23: Modeling and Adjustments for Accurate Imaging

• Discusses mathematical models used to adjust and correct information captured during the x-ray imaging process.

• Emphasizes the importance of refining data for quality analysis.

Page 24: Techniques for Digital Restoration

• Illustrates restoration techniques incorporating volunteer support and digital modeling.

• Showcases how conservators fill in gaps in missing areas based on original artwork styles and colors.

Page 25: Discovery of Missing Blue Pigments

• Addresses the issue of certain pigments being undetectable through x-ray fluorescence and how past experiences informed restoration approaches.

• Highlights the similarity in color tones amongst Van Gogh's works that may guide restorations.

Page 26: Analysis of Dark and Light Paints

• Explains how dark colors can obscure differences in pigments, impacting the interpretation of artworks and requiring careful analysis.

Page 27: Collaboration for Church Restoration

• Details a collaborative effort involving churches and various museum authorities to restore and display an art piece that had missing components.

Page 28: Reconstruction of a Missing Altarpiece

• Involves commissioning an artist to reconstruct missing panels of historical altarpiece pieces, emphasizing careful research and technique.

Page 29: Artistic Reconstruction Techniques

• Artist Charlie Costas’s approach to reconstructing art pieces draws from foundational techniques used by original artists, maintaining historical integrity.

Page 30: Visual Impact of the Reconstruction

• The reconstructions are intended to be educational resources, allowing interaction while preserving original artworks' integrity.

Page 31: Mathematical Aging of Art

• The mathematical modeling of age and texture is applied to evaluate changes in artwork over time and how these alterations can be virtually visualized.

Page 32: Process of Virtual Aging

• Highlights the detailed work that goes into simulating aging effects on paintings while preserving the original artist’s work.

Page 33: Rejuvenating Artwork

• Discusses methods for rejuvenating and restoring artworks while maintaining authentication and historical accuracy.

Page 34: Identifying Cracks in Paintings

• Identifying and addressing cracks in artwork requires specialized techniques, as colors may vary across different sections of the painting.

Page 35: Collaboration with Experts

• Engage in conversations with art historians to ensure that restoration efforts are aligned with historical accuracy and authenticity in depiction.

Page 36: Exploring Coloring Techniques

• Discusses the importance of various painting methods and how they influence modern restoration practices, particularly around precise color matching.

Page 37: Methods for Enhancing Art Restoration

• Describes the importance of using appropriate methods and techniques to create the most historically accurate restorations possible.

Page 38: Rejuvenation Challenges

• Discusses the intricate detail involved in replicating aging effects, especially for elements such as gilding in paintings.

Page 39: Reflection Properties in Paintings

• Sharing insights from the restoration process, particularly how to simulate reflections in paint, adds realism to the artwork.

Page 40: Conclusion and Summary

• Concludes with reflections on the potency of mathematics in enhancing our understanding and preservation of art. The talk emphasizes collaboration between mathematicians and art conservators to maintain artistic integrity.