Journalist Giuliano Aluffi interviewed Marco Leona, director of the scientific laboratory at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, and Alice Dal Fovo, a researcher at the National Institute of Optics (CNR-INO) and a member of the Heritage Science Group, for Il Venerdì di Repubblica.

The interview offers an intriguing perspective on how science and technology can uncover the secrets of artworks. Published at the end of August 2024, it focuses on the use of X-rays and near-infrared radiation to analyze artworks, a topic that highlights the profound and often unknown connection between art and science.

The article in Il Venerdì di Repubblica opens with a quote from Karl Marx: “All science would be superfluous if the outward appearance and the essence of things directly coincided.” This perfectly encapsulates the essence of the work carried out by researchers in the heritage science field. Through various non-invasive diagnostic techniques, hidden layers of artworks can be unveiled, revealing critical information about their composition and the artistic techniques used.

Alice Dal Fovo, in her contribution, emphasizes the importance of advanced technologies in museums to uncover details invisible to the naked eye. She highlights collaborations with prestigious institutions, which not only enrich our understanding of art but also offer opportunities to develop non-invasive methodologies that respect the integrity of the artworks.

Advanced optical technologies have a direct impact on the preservation of artworks. Through scientific analysis, conservators can plan targeted and informed interventions, ensuring effective long-term preservation. Alice Dal Fovo points out that the work of the HSG group, to which she belongs, not only helps to discover new aspects of artworks but is also essential for their future conservation, thanks to the use of cutting-edge, non-invasive techniques.

It is crucial to disseminate the results of scientific research and highlight the importance of science in understanding and preserving art. Modern technologies not only uncover hidden secrets of artworks but also contribute to protecting our cultural heritage and passing it on to future generations. In this sense, the work of the Heritage Science Group at CNR-INO remains fundamental in this field, demonstrating how the collaboration between art and science can lead to extraordinary and shared results.

For those interested in reading the full interview (in Italian): https://www.repubblica.it/venerdi/2024/08/27/news/arte_raggi_x_marco_leona-423462942/