A combined ND diagnostic investigation by DHSPI, SIRT, NMR, THZ, on Giotto fresco

This paper explores the potential synergy of DHSPI, SIRT, THz and NMR combined application. These innovative non-destructive diagnostic techniques for on-field examination were implemented in a study performed on the famous Giotto frescoes in San Antonio Cathedral of Padova, Italy. In this on-field work the aim was to investigate on the enigma represented by a missing fresco by the Master in the chapel house hidden under a Baroque plaster, as it is assumed that portions of Giotto's original fresco may still be present. In general, to this goal, the research coordinated by the CIRCe center of the University of Padua implemented various NDT techniques with additional scientific and technical support by the instrumentation and staff of the advanced mobile laboratory (MOLAB). Here, we present data extracted from surface/subsurface to identify deformations (provided by portable interferometry system, DHSPI), along with indepth data from thermal diffusion inside the fresco layers by thermography (SIRT), combined with relevant NMR and THz spectroscopy. Thus, this study provides an exemplar application of a novel diagnostic approach based on the mentioned complementary techniques.& COPY; 2023 Published by Elsevier Masson SAS on behalf of Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR).