Studio Redivivus

To perform effective conservation and restoration, it is crucial to understand how a painting was constructed - including its layers, materials, how these age and have degraded over time, and any accidental damage that has occurred.

Technical studies can support many goals: improved understanding for treatment decisions, assessment and documentation of condition, as well as aiding in the authentication process.

At Redivivus, we employ a variety of instruments to explore, analyze and document an object’s condition. These are digitally captured using a wide range of macro and micro technical investigation equipment. The artwork’s components, structure, materials, and history are investigated to find the optimum solution for treatment and aim for the best possible result.

If you want to know more about Technical Imaging that we offer at Studio Redivivus check out our new Technical Imaging Brochure which is linked in our BIO and website.

Studio Redivivus specializes in the conservation and restoration of fine art collections. For expert treatment, consultation, collection care advice, or to request an analysis or report, get in touch at [email protected].

Infrared Reflectography (IRR): Seeing Beyond the Surface

Infrared Reflectography is one of the powerful diagnostic tools we use to explore what lies beneath a painting’s visible surface. Using our high-resolution Apollo camera, we capture how infrared light interacts with the layered structure of a painting how it is transmitted, absorbed, and reflected.

This non-invasive imaging technique is a cornerstone of modern conservation diagnostics. It enables us to:

• Trace the artist’s working process and decision-making
• Detect alterations or past restorations
• Inform treatment strategies with greater precision and confidence

IRR is ofien associated with revealing underdrawings. Carbon-based materials, such as charcoal or graphite commonly used in preparatory sketches—absorb infrared radiation and appesr dark in the resulting image, while many other pigments become partially transparent. This allows us to visualize what the naked eye cannot see: underdrawings, compositional changes (pentimenti), hidden signatures, or even earlier iterations of a painting beneath the final layer.

But that’s not all IRR can also reveal information about paint layer thickness, areas of abrasion, and other features that help guide conservation strategies.

Whether for conservators, curators, or researchers, IRR offers essential knowledge that contributes to both the preservation and interpretation of artworks.

Stay tuned for the next post in our series, where we’ll explore another powerful imaging technique used in conservation!

Science