Technical Support

At the Institute of Mediterranean Studies the M.U.S.I.S. 2007 system is employed for the academic analysis and documentation of the works of El Greco et al. Also, an organised computer workshop is being developed for the digitalisation of works of art.

The M.U.S.I.S. 2007 is a device which is quite unique. It was developed by researchers of the Laser Applications Laboratory of the Institute of Electronic Structure and Laser of the ITE. It is a system of polyspectral imaging which sees in ultra-violet and infra-red, combining imaging and spectroscopy. It charts the chemical and colouring substances of art objects.

This device combines further uses (medical applications, for which it was originally constructed, as well as the analysis of works of art) and is used by numerous research institutes in Greece and abroad. It has already been purchased by Harvard for dermatological research, and also by museums in Portugal, Spain, Japan and Holland.

Its most significant feature, which is groundbreaking in the field of the conservation of works of art, is its ability to analyse works without damaging them and without the need to examine a sample, which has until now been the case. By means of this device, conservators reveal the artist´s drawing, they can see the development of the artist´s thinking, the layers of paint used, any overpainting which may have been done as well as their depth, any damage which has been repaired, atmospheric and organic pollutants on its surface, pigments and many other things.