Photoradiographic Laboratory

The Photoradiographic Laboratory photographs and films the historical and artistic heritage in the Pinacoteca’s collection and in the area under the jurisdiction of the former Soprintendenza per i beni storici e artistici. It also performs diagnostic examinations and inspections to determine the history and technique of a work of art, cooperating in its research with the country’s leading institutions: the Istituto Superiore per la Conservazione ed il Restauro, the Opificio delle Pietre Dure di Firenze, the Università degli Studi di Milano, the ENEA, the Istituto Nazionale di Ottica di Arcetri and the CNR.

The laboratory has made a name for itself thanks to the professional expertise of its staff and to its leading-edge technological instrumentation, a synergy which has led through non-invasive physical inspections (special sidelight, ultraviolet or infrared photography, x-rays, reflectography and fluorescence) to a significant increase in our knowledge of the deeper nature of the Pinacoteca’s works of art and their state of conservation.

The stored images are the result of the documentary activity performed to date, with material dating back to the early 20th century. The archive may be consulted for study purposes by prior appointment only.