Unveiling the Art-Science Tapestry: Optical Methods in Cultural Heritage Conservation and Restoration

Optical methods are a formidable tool in the conservation of cultural heritage; a large number of techniques are currently available, and the search for new methods is flourishing. In this paper, we will discuss some of these techniques, which, in addition to making a significant diagnostic contribution, have profoundly changed the way we engage with and imagine art. The selected techniques are primarily visual, thus their results are presented as images. The visual nature of these methods is crucial, as it allows an easy comparison with the artwork under study and enables their use by researchers from different backgrounds. These images may also be appreciated by the general public. In particular, the paper proposes a reflection on the relationship between the artwork and its representation through a scientific method.