Wooden Panel Paintings (WPPs) from the Middle Ages and Renaissance transcend the boundaries of mere artistic expressions; they act as crucial custodians of our shared Cultural Heritage. These invaluable artworks are at the intersection of two endemic problems within museum environments: the challenge of their long-term conservation and their effective management. These issues are exacerbated by wood's highly hygroscopic nature, making it susceptible to humidity and temperature fluctuations1. Current approaches to conservation are both falling short in effectiveness and reveal themselves energy-intensive, thereby revealing a significant gap in existing knowledge. This project aims to address these dual challenges by leveraging innovative methodologies for both the preservation and management of these critical pieces of art. In a world grappling with climate change, the energy consumption of museums and heritage sites is not a trivial matter. Current climate control systems, while preserving art, contribute to a larger, unsustainable energy footprint. This is particularly concerning as we move toward a future where energy neutrality is not just an ideal but a necessity. MASTERPIECE is designed to bring a transformative change to the field of art conservation, specifically focusing on the preservation of WPPs. The project employs adaptive climate control strategies that not only ensure the longevity of artworks but also optimize energy usage in museum settings. Utilizing advanced technologies, the project will create 'Digital Twins'2,3, which are highly accurate digital models that mimic the physical and mechanical behaviour of the actual paintings, aiming to use them as analytical and decision-making tools within the museum multiverse. Additionally, the project will establish performance-based that identify the critical points at which artworks are likely to suffer permanent deformation or damage due to environmental factors. This approach not only minimizes energy consumption but also offers a more effective means of long-term preservation of Europe's rich cultural assets for future generations. This ambitious project is made possible through a unique collaboration with the Getty Conservation Institute (GCI) in Los Angeles, a world-renowned top-level institution in art conservation. The project aims to establish the essential methodological foundations that will be imperative for future advancements in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the Internet of Things (IoT) within the realm of art conservation.
Referent and coordinator: Marco Fioravanti, UNIFI
