European project SYDDARTA, a step forward in the preservation of the historical and cultural heritage

The preservation and conservation of the cultural heritage is a common interest that requires high level of accuracy in their implementation techniques. In this area, the European project SYDDARTA will suppose an important breakthrough in the task of preservation and conservation of our historical and cultural heritage making use of 3D digitalization and hyper spectral imaging technologies.

SYDDARTA's aim is to develop the first industrial prototype that will obtain colorimetric, morphologic, chemical and spectroscopic information of the art work to be restored, by means of non invasive characterization technologies. The potential these technologies will be fundamental to carry out a deeper and detailed analysis of the works, allowing to visualize the initial strokes drawn by the artist (underlying image), in order to determine with accuracy the composition of the used pigments. Also, this initiative will contribute to the establishment of standards within the chemical analysis of the pieces, being able to make predictions of the art works deterioration.

The great challenge approached by AIDO in this phase of the project has consisted in increasing the spectral range of analysis from 900-2500 nanometers, with the aim of obtaining as much information as possible from  the pigments that compose the art work in order to approach more precise tasks of restoration.

The prototype will use databases of materials, substances, components and pigments that will allow analyzing art works, mainly canvas and panel painting, of the Baroque stage in Europe. This new combination of digitalization 3D and of hyper spectral imaging technologies, will reduce working times, costs and manipulation, while expanding asset structural information in the characterization and preservation of the art works.

The entities that take part in the consortium of the project are the Technological Centers AIDO (Spain), FORTH (Greece), TUD (Holland), CNR-ISAC (Italy) and the companies Xenics (Belgium), Vialux (Germany), Avantes (Holland), G&H (United Kingdom), Signinum (Portugal) and IPCHS (Slovenia) and the Royal Academy of Fine Arts of San Fernando (Spain).