The University of Malta proudly announces its collaboration with Opus Instruments, a leading provider of cutting-edge infrared (IR) imaging technology, in an initiative to document part of the rich art-historical heritage of the Maltese Islands.
Opus Instruments loaned its state-of-the-art Apollo infrared reflectography (IRR) camera to Dr Charlene Vella, senior lecturer at the University of Malta's Department of Art and Art History and her team. The camera was operated by Andrea Luca Bartolo, graduate in Art History and current M.Sc. candidate reading for the Master of Science in Conservation in the Department of Conservation & Built Heritage (Faculty for the Built Environment).
The Apollo enabled the academics to meticulously photograph over 20 artworks, offering insights into their manufacturing techniques, particularly into their underdrawings often visible through painted layers via the detection of reflected IR waves. One of the most important masterpieces documented using the Apollo was the St Paul Polyptych, a Late Gothic altarpiece located at the Metropolitan Cathedral Museum in Mdina. The polyptych is a masterpiece of Catalan art executed in the late 14th or early 15th century which stood as the old Mdina Cathedral's titular altarpiece, commissioned directly from Catalonia, and consists of 11 panel paintings narrating scenes from the life of St Paul the Apostle. This research was made possible thanks to Rev. Dr Edgar Vella and his team at the Mdina Museum.
The Opus Apollo camera, the new standard in IRR renowned for its unparalleled precision and fidelity, operates using an internal InGaAs area sensor with a spectral sensitivity of wavelengths between 900 and 1700nm, providing high-resolution images of up to 26 MP, boasting over 65,000 grey levels. These images allow for studying various aspects of paintings, including underdrawings, pentimenti (compositional changes), brushwork, later interventions and pigment transmission at different wavelength bands. Automatic stitching of thousands of photographed tiles and adjustable histograms enhance the usability and quality of the captured data.
Business Development manager of Opus Instruments, Hannah Conway-Laws, expressed enthusiasm for the collaboration, and stated: "We are thrilled to partner with the University of Malta; the Apollo camera represents the pinnacle of IR imaging technology and we are confident that its capabilities will greatly enhance the conservation efforts on Maltese masterpieces."
Dr Vella emphasised the significance of the project, remarking: "Malta boasts a rich artistic legacy that spans centuries, and it is imperative that we employ the latest advancements in technology to study and preserve these invaluable treasures. The loan of the Opus Instruments Apollo camera marks a significant milestone in our efforts to document Maltese art for research purposes and more."
The collaboration between Opus Instruments and the University of Malta underscores a shared commitment to advancing the field of cultural heritage preservation and technical art history through innovation and collaboration. This two-week loan was facilitated by Pierre Bugeja, founder and senior conservator of PrevArti Ltd, who loaned equipment through which the scans were made possible.
A conference on how technology can be used to preserve and study cultural heritage, the 2024 IEEE International Conference on Metrology for Archaeology and Cultural Heritage, will be organised in Valletta between 7 and 9 October. For more information visit https://www.metroarcheo.com/
For more information about Opus Instruments and its range of imaging solutions visit https://www.opusinstruments.com/