A groundbreaking collaboration between heritage scientists and conservators is shedding new light on one of Italy’s most treasured artistic monuments: Giotto’s 14th-century wall paintings in the Bardi Chapel at the Basilica of Santa Croce in Florence.
Researchers from the CNR Institute of Applied Physics “Nello Carrara” (CNR-INO) and Lasers for Art’s Sake at IESL-FORTH (Greece), working alongside expert conservators from the Opificio delle Pietre Dure, have published new findings that are transforming our understanding of these iconic frescoes and guiding their ongoing conservation (2022–2025).
The study, recently published in the Journal of Cultural Heritage, demonstrates how advanced diagnostic techniques can unveil the complex layering of history embedded in these masterpieces – from Giotto’s original brushstrokes to centuries of alterations, restorations, and environmental impacts.
At the heart of this investigation is DHSPI (Digital Holographic Speckle Pattern Interferometry), a sophisticated laser-based technique that allows scientists to detect even microscopic deformations and structural changes in the painted surface without any physical contact. This innovative approach has proven invaluable in:
- Strengthening conservation hypotheses with objective, measurable data
- Guiding critical restoration decisions by revealing hidden structural weaknesses
- Documenting the multiple layers of history accumulated over seven centuries
- Understanding how the paintings have transformed through time and previous interventions
The research team expresses deep gratitude to the Opera di Santa Croce for providing this exceptional opportunity to work on such timeless masterpieces. Access to works of this historical significance, combined with the possibility to apply state-of-the-art scientific instrumentation, represents a unique convergence of art history, conservation science, and technological innovation.
This collaboration exemplifies the essential role that scientific research plays in cultural heritage preservation. By combining the expertise of heritage scientists with the hands-on knowledge of professional conservators, the team is ensuring that Giotto’s artistic legacy – and the 700 years of history it carries – will be preserved and understood for generations to come.
The Bardi Chapel frescoes, depicting scenes from the life of St. Francis of Assisi, are among Giotto’s most celebrated works and a cornerstone of Italian Renaissance art. This ongoing conservation effort represents not just the preservation of paintings, but the safeguarding of a fundamental chapter in the history of Western art.
Read the full article:
Journal of Cultural Heritage
DOI: 10.1016/j.culher.2025.11.009https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1296207425002535
