Potential and Challenges of Spectral Imaging for Documentation and Analysis of Stained-Glass Windows

Stained-glass windows are very particular artifacts; they not only have an intrinsic artistic and historical meanings, but also a functional role, strictly connected to the buildings where they were originally placed. The investigation of these artifacts is a challenging research opportunity, due to their optical, chemical and physical characteristics. However, these properties could change with time, depending on the raw materials used, or due to exposure in a very aggressive environment. For this reason, developing imaging techniques that could both digitize and document the morphological/chemical changes of these objects, would solve two important issues: first, it would be possible to obtain a digital model of the object, ensuring the preservation of the objects for the future; second, it would be possible to get information on the materials employed, the ways they change with time, and how these changes modify the final appearance of the artwork.. In this paper a proposal for a more systematic application of spectral imaging to stained glass is presented, discussing challenges and potential of the technique.