Bibliography. 25 Scientific and Technical Art Examination readings

I want share with you my list of best readings on Scientific and Technical Art Examination. Friends keep asking me for suggested readings…so, here you are! This is not comprehensive, of course, but, I would say, a good starting point. I don’t mention more technical readings on specific topics, such as pigments identification and analytic techniques and I just wanted to limit myself to 25 readings.

Readings on multispectral imaging and photography for conservation: 

[1] The AIC guide to digital photography and conservation documentation – second edition, Jeffrey Warda editor, American Institute for Conservation, 2012. When I say 2nd edition, I mean it! Do not try to save bucks buying the first edition. The second edition has a valuable section on multispectral imaging. This is a very useful text. It’s for anybody. Any museum professional who want to produce good quality photo and multispectral images. Not technical.

[20] Real World Image Sharpening with Adobe Photoshop, B. Fraser and J. Schewe, 2009. I added this book here because sharpening is a sensitive issue in photography for conservation. So, anybody interested in museum photography should have this book in the shelf.

Readings on specific multispectral imaging methods:

Raking light

[1]

Infrared (Digital Camera)

[1], [2] D.C. Creagh, DA Bradley “Radiation in Art and Archeometry” Elsevier 2000, pp 40-55.

[3] J. W. Mayer “The Science of Paintings” Springer-Verlag New York, Inc. 2000, pp 125-127.

UV Fluorescence

[5] Forgeries, fakes, and reproductions, a handbook for collectors, G. Savage London, White Lion Publishers Ltd., [1976, c1963], appendix 3.

[23] Ultraviolet rays and their use in the examination of works of art, J.J. Rorimer, Metropolitan Museum of Art; 1st Ed. edition (1931). I found a copy at the Watson library at the Metropolitan Museum. I really liked to read the enthusiasm of Rorimer for what was then a new imaging method.

UV Reflected

[1], [6] A. Aldrovandi, E. Buzzegoli, A. Keller, D. Kunzelman “Investigation of painted surfaces with a reflected UV false color technique” art’05 – 8th International Conference on  “Non  Destructive  Investigations and Micronalysis for the Diagnostics and Conservation of the Cultural and Environmental Heritage.” Lecce (Italy), May 15th – 19th, 2005.

Infrared False Color

[7] T. Moon, M. R. Schilling, S. Thirkettle “A Note on the Use of False-Color Infrared Photography in Conservation” Studies in Conservation, Vol. 37, No. 1 (Feb., 1992), pp. 42-52.

Infrared Fluorescence

[7] C. F. Bridgman and H. L. Gibson “Infrared Luminescence in the Photographic Examination of Paintings and Other Art Objects” Studies in Conservation, Vol. 8, No. 3 (Aug., 1963), pp. 77-83.

Infrared Transmitted

[1], [8] D. A. Kushel “Applications of Transmitted Infrared Radiation to the Examination of Artifacts” Studies in Conservation, Vol. 30, No. 1 (Feb., 1985), pp. 1-10.

[9] A. Moutsatsou, D. Skapoula, M. Doulgeridis “The Contribution of Transmitted Infrared Imaging to Non-Invasive Study of Canvas Paintings at the National Gallery – Alexandros Soutzos Museum, Greece” e-conservation magazine 22 (2011) pp. 53-61, http://www.e-conservationline.com/content/view/1038

Infrared Reflectography

[2], [3]

Many examples of authentication made possible by Multispectral Imaging in these books:

[10] The Cleaning of Paintings,  Helmut Ruhemann (1968). This is a must reading for everybody interested in restoration of old masters, laymen as well as advanced conservators.

[11] Art in the making, National Gallery London. This is actually a series of books which the National Gallery, London devoted to technical examination of their collection. For both laymen and connoisseurs, it’s an invaluable source of information as well as an exciting reading. There are now these titles: Italian Paintings before 1400 (1990), Impressionism (1991); Underdrawings in Renaissance Paintings (2002); Degas (2004); Rembrandt (2006);

[12] Seeing Through Paintings: Physical Examination in Art Historical Studies, Andrea Kirsh,Rustin S. Levenson (2000).  Same techniques but on art owned by forty-five international museums and ranging from Byzantine master, though old masters,  to a Mexican colonial painter.

[13] Scientific Investigation of Copies, Fakes and Forgeries, P. Craddock (2009). Definitely more technical but rich in information.

[14] Scientific examination for the investigation of paintings, AA.VV.Edited by D. Pinna. I like the structure of this book. As a manual to look at a painting layer by layer.

 [16] The Science of paintings, S. Taft and J. Mayer,  Spriger, 2000. For everybody. Enjoyable intro to both the materials and the structure of paintings and the methods to investigate them.

[18] Closer Look Deception & Discoveries, M. Wieseman, National Gallery, London, 2010. One of the last publication on this subject from the National Gallery, London. Short reading as an intro to technical examination but intriguing. They also made a DVD with the same title and topic.

[19] Turner’s painting techniques, J. Townsend, 1998.  specifically on Turner’s oils and watercolours. 

[24] The Art Forger’s Handbook, E. Hebborn, 2004. Tips and tricks on spotting fakes from the point of view of famous forger, Hebborn.

Authentication process. Less on science and more on law:

[14] The expert versus the object, R. Spencer (2004). On the profession of connoisseur; A bit too technical.

[15] The Art Detective Adventures of an Antiques Roadshow Appraiser, P. Mould  (2011). Enjoyable narration of Mould’s experience in the field.

[17] The American Leonardo, John Brewer, 2009. As the title says “A Tale of Obsession, Art and Money.”

[22] Paintings  genuine, fraud, fake  modern methods of examining paintings, R. Marijnissen, 1987. another publication from a big name in art examination. Great book. Confined to Low Countries painters.

Old Masters technique

[21] Drawing Lessons from the Great Masters, R. Hale, 1989. This is for those like me that know about Science but barely can hold a brush. I wish i could practice and understanding painting more, this is mandatory to actually be able to read our scientific diagnostics.

[24] How to paint as the old masters, J. Sheppard, 1983. as above.

[25] A closer look Techniques of painting, J Kirby, National Gallery, London, 2011.