Home » Case Studies » Visitation between Saint Joseph and Saint Zachary (1480–1490) by Antonino Giuffrè (Taormina, Sicily)

Visitation between Saint Joseph and Saint Zachary (1480–1490) by Antonino Giuffrè (Taormina, Sicily)

Visitation between Saint Joseph and Saint Zachary (1480–1490) by Antonino Giuffrè, preserved in Taormina, Sicily, is a rare and intimate interpretation of a sacred encounter. Painted in the late fifteenth century, the work reflects the refined devotional sensibility of Sicilian Renaissance art, where Northern influences blend with local traditions. Giuffrè departs from the more common Marian Visitation theme to focus instead on Joseph and Zachary, emphasizing paternal presence and quiet spiritual dialogue. The composition is marked by gentle gestures, luminous color, and balanced architecture, conveying humility, contemplation, and the theological depth of two figures united by divine expectation.
CHSOS Collection – item #95.

In this photo, I’m standing with my children in front of this painting I studied years before they were even born.
Back then, that investigation led to two publications:

📄 A. Cosentino, “Multispectral imaging and the art expert” — Spectroscopy Europe, 27 (2), 6–9, 2015.
📄 A. Cosentino, “Panoramic, Macro and Micro Multispectral Imaging: An Affordable System for Mapping Pigments on Artworks” — Journal of Conservation and Museum Studies, 13(1): 6, 1–17, 2015.

At the time, I was focused on building accessible multispectral imaging systems for mapping pigments across entire surfaces — from panoramic views to micro-details — making advanced technical photography more affordable for conservators and scholars.

Today, standing there with my kids, I’m reminded that research is never just about data.
It becomes part of your personal timeline.

Art lasts centuries.
Science captures moments.
Family gives them meaning.

Technical Photography

The power of technical photography lies in the sheer number of images captured: while many may not reveal much, some often uncover fascinating details. In this case study, the IRF-UV image proves the most revealing. It shows that the red borders of this hand-colored print map of Jerusalem exhibit infrared fluorescence under UV lamp illumination, suggesting the use of the modern cadmium red pigment.

Multispectral Imaging

The painting was investigated using a 12-filter multispectral imaging (MSI) system covering the 360–1000 nm range. The study demonstrated how a relatively simple VIS–NIR setup can reconstruct reflectance spectra pixel by pixel, generating a spectral cube that enables pigment mapping across the painted surface.
The reconstructed spectra from selected areas were compared with reference databases of historical pigments, allowing tentative identification of materials based on their diagnostic features in the visible and near-infrared regions.
In particular, the method proved effective in distinguishing pigments with similar visible appearance but different infrared behaviour, and in recognising characteristic spectral shapes such as the S-curve of iron-based earths.
The MSI survey provided a rapid, non-invasive overview of the painting’s material composition and highlighted areas of possible retouching or compositional variation.
The case study confirms the value of affordable multispectral imaging as a practical tool for documentation, conservation planning, and preliminary pigment identification in Renaissance panel paintings.

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.