Application of Sonic, Hygrometric Tests and Infrared Thermography for Diagnostic Investigations of Wall Paintings in St. Panfilo’s Church

Prior to restoration work, the frescoes created at end of XV century by painter Saturnino Gatti (1463–1518) in apse Church St. Panfilo Villagrande di Tornimparte (L’Aquila) were subject a thorough diagnostic study involving several tests, from situ non-destructive analysis laboratory micro-destructive on collected samples. In this paper, we report application sonic pulse velocity test, hygrometric and infrared thermography assess state conservation frescoes, i.e., combined system plaster wall support. The complete frescoes’ revealed significant insights. integrity was evaluated through which highlighted areas detachment or degradation phenomena. Hygrometric described humidity variations, particularly near boundary between conch area church naves. Passive detected temperature inhomogeneities, emphasizing differences texture masonry structure. Moreover, comparing passive images, certain degree correlation hot slow presence possible detachments noticed. addition, pulse-compression active applied few spots, for first time, best our knowledge, virtual wave concept cultural heritage field. This strategy helps better associating anomalies with depth. measurement campaign part research project conducted members Italian Association Archaeometry (AIAr), results compared integrated those other analytical methods.