A multimodal methodology for pigment identification in artworks

Painting holds a significant position in the realm of cultural heritage, and a comprehensive understanding of the pigments used in paintings is essential for their protection and conservation. Extensive research efforts have been devoted to pigment identification in paintings over recent decades. This period has witnessed a discernible shift towards non-invasive methodologies, diverging from destructive approaches, over the last two decades. Notably, some of these methodologies exhibit a singular emphasis on specific techniques, whereas others contemplate or employ a multimodal approach in addressing pigment identification challenges. However, a comprehensive and meticulous delineation of a multimodal methodology for pigment identification remains somewhat deficient. In this study, we propose a multimodal approach for pigment identification. The proposed methodology includes (i) considerations on the pigment hue and the painting historical data, (ii) Multiband Photography (MP), (iii) XRF spectroscopy, and (iv) Diffuse Reflectance Spectroscopy (DRS) in the Visible and Near-Infrared (VNIR) (400–1000 nm) spectral range. The outcomes of experimental analyses conducted on one real artwork substantiate the accuracy and efficacy of our proposed methodology.