Development of a Hyperspectral Imaging Protocol for Painting Applications at the University of Seville

Researchers at the University of Seville, in collaboration with the Centro Nacional de Aceleradores (CNA), have developed a streamlined hyperspectral imaging protocol to analyze ancient paintings non-invasively. The study demonstrated that three hyperspectral cameras—operating in visible-near-infrared (VNIR) and short-wave infrared (SWIR) ranges—could efficiently characterize paintings when combined with Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and classification methods using Evince® and Specim IQ® software. This protocol, validated through complementary techniques like X-ray fluorescence (XRF), ultraviolet luminescence (UVL) imaging, and infrared reflectography (IRR), offers a faster and more accessible approach for studying the extensive painting collections in Seville’s Archbishop’s Palace and Cathedral. The findings pave the way for broader application of hyperspectral imaging in cultural heritage conservation.

Vasco, G., Aureli, H., Fernández-Lizaranzu, I., Moreno-Soto, J., Križnar, A., Parrilla-Giraldez, R., Gómez-González, E., & Respaldiza Galisteo, M. A. (2024). Development of a Hyperspectral Imaging Protocol for Painting Applications at the University of Seville. Heritage, 7(11), 5986–6007. https://doi.org/10.3390/heritage7110281