Infrared investigation of works of art

The restoring investigation of works of art by the invisible radiation (X-ray, ultraviolet and infrared radiation) sometimes gives the possibility to obtain the information which cannot be identified or is hardly perceivable in visible light. Infrared radiation makes possible to examine deteriorated paintings, sculptures, engravings, manuscripts, tissues etc. The infrared image can provide for the restorer the supplementary information bout the technique of old masters and also later changes in the composition of the work. This article describes the modern implements for the realization of the infrared image.© (1999) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.