Infrared Reflectography

Infrared light that falls with the 780-3000 nm range (near infrared) of the electromagnetic spectrum can be particularly useful for revealing preliminary sketches, underdrawings, or compositional changes that lie beneath visible paint layers. Areas that have been painted using a significant amount of carbon black readily absorb IR light (appearing black in the IR images) while other pigments, such as vermillion, are transparent. Using an IR camera equipped with an InGaAs detector, a team from Washington and Lee University's Chemistry Department generously devoted their time and equipment in an effort to acquire images of the painting. (Pictured here: Dr. Erich Uffelman, Dr. Anthony Lagalante, Dr. Amanda Norbutus, Sam Florescu, Alex Garcia, Ashley Ooms)

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