Short Description
The Apollo camera from Opus Instruments (Atik Cameras Limited) is a state-of-the-art infrared camera optimised for the requirements of examining works of art. The aim of this non-destructive analysis method is to penetrate visible paint layers by recording near-infrared radiation (NIR/SWIR) and to visualise any underdrawings, palimpsests, etc.
Compared to infrared photography, which can only record wavelengths up to 1100 nm, infrared reflectography is characterised by better penetration of the paint layer and a clearer image. The InGaAs area sensor used (128 x 128 px) is actively cooled and delivers images with a maximum of 5100 x 5100 pixels in one scan cycle, which takes around 20 minutes. The output is in 16-bit TIFF format, which enables high-quality post-processing. The system is equipped with a 150 mm IR lens and has an additional filter set with which the wavelength ranges 900-1250 nm, 1250-1510 nm and 1510-1700 nm can be recorded separately.
Contact Person
Univ.-Prof.in Dr.in Katja Sterflinger
Research Services
The Institute for Natural Sciences and Technology in the Arts (INTK) and the Core Facility "Centre for Material Sciences in Art and Conservation (ZMKK)" are central facilities of the Academy of Fine Arts Vienna for the natural scientific (material) analysis of works of art. The facilities support members of the Academy of Fine Arts Vienna or other research institutions, museums, libraries, archives, etc. in the realisation of joint projects within the framework of research funding or contract research and also offers services (third-party funding) for external parties.
The focus is on scientific material analyses of artworks and archive materials using FTIR, Raman, XRF, UV-Vis, HSI, RSI, ESEM (EDX), Py-GC/MS, digital X-ray radiography and photo documentation (Vis, UV, IR, IRR), (3D) microscopy, chambers for accelerated ageing of samples.
Special services infrared reflectography:
- Illustration of underdrawings, pentimenti, palimpsests and retouches
- Differentiation of inks
- Illustration of the reverse side of laminated paper objects
Methods & Expertise for Research Infrastructure
IRR is an essential non-destructive, non-invasive examination method, especially in the field of paintings and paper, which represents a necessary extension of IR photography due to the higher wavelength range, as blue and green colour layers can also be penetrated and a much clearer representation is made possible. In addition to the visualisation of any underdrawings, (older) retouching is also shown in some cases and different inks can be distinguished. Depending on the material, the reverse side of paper objects can be visualised.
Thanks to the area sensor, the Apollo camera is less sensitive to vibrations, has better noise behaviour at low radiation intensities and, thanks to the output format (16-bit TIFF), enables higher-quality post-processing than its predecessor model.