Frequency Resolved Acoustic Imaging in the Audio Frequency Interval: Panel Paintings

In panel paintings the peculiarity of the substrate, due to the hygroscopicity of the wood, and the great variety of configurations determine their high sensitivity to the environmental conditions. An accurate evaluation of the structural damage may highly benefit their preventive conservation.We investigate the new application of a nondestructive and low-cost technique, a frequency resolved acoustic imaging method in the audio frequency interval, in the panel paintings' diagnostics of the structural damage. Three case studies are here proposed, showing very different features in terms of substrate configuration and conservation state of the painted film. A selection of acoustic images are presented, showing the potential of this method to reveal the effects of different causes of deterioration.