Institute of Applied Physics “Nello Carrara” Firenze

Via Via Madonna del Piano – 50019, Firenze - Italy

Tel. +39 055 5225312 – Fax +39 055 5225305

E-mail address: r.salimbeni@ifac.cnr.it

The state of the art of laser techniques employed in conservation of cultural heritage is continuously growing in Europe. After more than thirty years since the first experiment in Venice many advancements were achieved and now laser techniques are widely recognised as one of the most important innovation introduced, in the last decades, in conservation of artworks for diagnostics, restoration and monitoring. Many research projects organised at the European level have contributed to this achievement, being complementary to the development carried out at national level.

IFAC-CNR has carried out research projects on these topics, developing new laser instruments dedicated to the cleaning of deteriorated stones and metals. The laser systems have been validated after a vast experimentation, confirming a well controlled ablation of the deteriorated layers, while preserving the historical layers such as patinas or gilding. A number of case studies have validated these instruments on masterpieces of the Florentine renaissance and on archaeological pieces. IFAC is carrying out projects of research, of technology transfer and of international cooperation.

A very important role was played by the COST Action G7 “Artworks Conservation by Laser” for the decisive acceptance of these techniques. This is a networks of forty organisations, research institutes, conservation institutes, archaeology experts, museums etc. COST G7 has contributed a lot by exchanging experiences, comparing results, selecting best practices. After the COST G7 activity it appears now clear an evolution of the systems, a specialization of the cleaning task, the achievement of side-effect free procedures.

The validation of these advanced cleaning techniques has been extensive and diffused in many European countries. Laser-based diagnostics have also specialised their tasks toward material analysis, defects detection and multidimensional documentation. Laser and optical methods successfully monitor deterioration effects. In many European countries interdisciplinary networks are managing the experimentation of these techniques giving them a sound scientific approach, but also a technology transfer to end-users. So doing the appreciation for these techniques is growing in all the conservation institutions involved at national level, disseminating a positive evaluation about the benefits provided by laser in conservation. Nowadays laser cleaning is considered the most precise method available for the restoration intervention, in order to remove in a controlled way the degraded layers. Several laser systems became products for the activity of professional restorers and their increasing sales demonstrate a growing utilisation throughout all Europe.