Multispectral Imaging (MSI)
Multispectral imaging (MSI) is an advanced, non-invasive imaging technique that captures artwork across multiple regions of the electromagnetic spectrum—such as ultraviolet, visible, and infrared—to reveal information invisible to the unaided eye. By combining these spectral bands into a calibrated image dataset, MSI can map and tentatively identify pigments, retouches, and material characteristics across an artwork’s surface. This allows conservators and researchers to uncover hidden features, distinguish original work from later interventions, and enhance faded or obscured details without sampling. MSI enriches documentation and supports informed decisions in conservation and historical study.
Table of Contents
How MSI works?
MSI pigments checker GIF – Full Resolution (6399 downloads )
Images of an object in a series of spectral bands are acquired, and once the images are registered and calibrated, they are uploaded into the reflectance image cube. This represents the pixels of each image in the X and Y axes, while the Z dimension denotes the wavelength of each spectral image. From the cube, it is then possible to reconstruct the reflectance spectrum for each pixel of the image. MSI analysis is based on the same concepts of Reflectance Spectroscopy. Still, MSI has the added advantage that the pigments can be identified and mapped remotely on large areas rather than just a single spot.
Applications in Art and Archaeology
Multispectral Imaging (MSI) maps and tentatively identifies pigments and retouchings on works of art. It is also used to visually enhance old and faded documents. Conservators can use this technique to distinguish original sections from inpaints and to select the proper conservation procedures.
| Publications on Multispectral Imaging |
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| A. Cosentino “Imaging Multispettrale low-cost con filtri interferenziali” Archeomatica, 2, 12-17, 2015.. |
| A. Cosentino “Multispectral imaging and the art expert” Spectroscopy Europe, 27 (2) 6-9, 2015. |
| A. Cosentino “Multispectral Imaging of Pigments with a digital camera and 12 interferential filters” e-Preservation Science, 12, 1-7, 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 |
| A. Cosentino “Multispectral imaging system using 12 interference filters for mapping pigments” Conservar Património 21, 25-38, 2015. |
| A. Cosentino “Crowd funded research: low-cost multispectral imaging” RECH3, International meeting on Retouching of cultural heritage. 2015. |
| A. Cosentino “Transmittance spectroscopy and transmitted multispectral imaging to map covered paints” Conservar Património 24, 37-45, 2016. |
Case Studies using MSI
19th-century South-Asia Islamic manuscript
17th century Umbrian School Madonna and Child
