High-quality imaging at the National Gallery: Origins, implementation and applications

To allow permanent records of the condition of paintings to be made, the National Gallery in London has developed two high-resolution digital imaging systems over the past ten years; the VASARI scanner and the MARC camera. Each is capable of recording images of paintings with excellent colour accuracy, permitting comparisons between the state of paintings now and in the future to be made. In addition to their prime uses in documenting condition and measuring change, the systems have also been used in the technical study of paintings from the Collection, for example in recording changes of colour that result from conservation treatment, clarification of infrared images, comparison of related compositions and computer reconstruction of faded or altered colours.