UV-visible-near IR reflectance spectrophotometry in a museum environment

Abstract Reflectance spectroscopy (or spectrophotometry) in the ultraviolet, visible and near-infrared (UV-vis-NIR, 350–2500 nm) wavelength range is an analytical method that measures how materials absorb and reflect light, providing specific information on the material’s color and some aspects of its components’ molecular structure. UV-vis-NIR spectra can be used to identify both natural and synthetic, organic and inorganic compounds including pigments, paint binders, as well as a broad range of materials used to fashion archeological and historical objects and works of art. During the last 10 years, reflectance spectrophotometry has become a widespread routine tool for the noninvasive analysis of cultural heritage objects and the identification of artists’ materials, especially in its variant with optical fibers, commonly termed Fiber Optic Reflectance Spectroscopy (FORS). This chapter provides an overview of the applications of reflectance spectrophotometry to the study of cultural heritage objects, largely based on the author’s own experience of using it in a museum setting.