19th-century icon “Feast of the Pokrov (Protection) of the Veil of the Mother of God”
This mid-19th-century icon, “Feast of the Pokrov (Protection) of the Veil of the Mother of God), reflects the deep devotional traditions of Eastern Orthodoxy, where the Pokrov symbolizes the Virgin Mary’s protection over the faithful.
CHSOS Collection – item #31
Table of Contents
Technical Photography
19th-century icon “Feast of the Pokrov"
The technical photography examination highlights the value of infrared false color (IRFC) in detecting and mapping retouches. These appear with slightly different tones in the IRFC image compared to the original paint. Ultraviolet fluorescence (UVF) further confirms these retouches by providing a complementary comparison.
Infrared imaging also reveals underdrawing and compositional changes, offering insights into the icon’s creation process. Particularly noteworthy is the reflected UV (UVR) image, which shows the incised lines outlining the figures more clearly than raking light (RAK).
Learn Technical Photography for Art Examination
Technical Photography is one of the most powerful—and often overlooked—tools for the scientific examination of art and archaeology. If you are a conservator, scientist, or art collector and you are not yet familiar with this method, it is truly a missed opportunity. Using simple, affordable equipment and a clear methodology, Technical Photography allows you to reveal underdrawings, retouchings, material differences, and conservation issues in a completely non-invasive way. Far from being complex or inaccessible, it is an easy entry point into scientific analysis. In many cases, Technical Photography represents the first essential step toward a deeper understanding of artworks and archaeological objects.
Scientific Art Examination – Resources:
Getty Conservation Institute (GCI) – USA
The British Museum – Scientific Research Department – UK
Scientific Research Department – The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, USA
C2RMF (Centre de Recherche et de Restauration des Musées de France) – France
Rijksmuseum – Science Department – Netherlands
