Discover the Pigments Checker Standard, a cornerstone resource developed by Cultural Heritage Science Open Source (CHSOS), designed to elevate non-invasive technical imaging in art conservation and cultural heritage science. Featuring a curated selection of historically significant pigments and dyes—spanning from antiquity to early modern art—this tool empowers conservators, scientists, students, and fine art photographers to evaluate and refine their methodologies with confidence.

Built specifically for multispectral imaging (MSI), infrared reflectography (IRR), technical photography (TP), and other spectroscopic techniques, the Pigments Checker Standard includes swatches embedded on specially prepared boards. Each swatch features printed cross-hairs (e.g., 0.2 mm) to aid in assessing infrared transparency and other imaging properties.

Testing Imaging Workflow

The value of this tool lies in its dual role: first, it serves as a consistent, reliable reference for testing imaging workflows; second, it contributes to the broader scientific community through its integration with CHSOS’s Free Spectra Database—a growing collection of open-access spectral data, including XRF spectra, that supports enhanced pigment identification and cross-comparison.

Moreover, CHSOS has positioned the Pigments Checker Standard as a practical, accessible solution—offered alongside a TP-MSI calibration card—for institutions working with limited resources. This approach underlines CHSOS’s mission to democratize scientific tools for the art conservation field.

In essence, the Pigments Checker Standard is more than just a swatch set—it is a foundational instrument for practice, training, and research in non-invasive pigment analysis, providing unparalleled support for imaging method development and validation in conservation science.