Comparative Examples of the Evolution of Thermal Cameras in Artwork Diagnostics: An Experimental Perspective

In cultural heritage diagnostics, thermographic methods have gained significant importance. The main reasons for their widespread use are the ability to allow remote and wide-field imaging of hidden features (such as structural defects, materials diversity, and deep alterations) and the vast possibility to gain additional information through quantitative data processing. The technological evolution of thermal cameras has also played a crucial role. This article aims to discuss this evolution’s effect on cultural heritage diagnostics. We will do this from an experimental point of view, i.e., by comparing on laboratory models, and then in a real case, the behavior of different thermal cameras.