The characterization of materials used, the evaluation of the conservation state, the localization of previous restoration interventions, and the control a possible current one, are among the most important topics in the field of study and conservation of artworks.
UV fluorescence imaging can potentially help in all of the above mentioned fields, being moreover a noninvasive technique.
This method has been widely used in art diagnostics since it was introduced at the end of the twenties, when an American physicist, Robert William Wood (1868-1955) realized a Nickel Oxide glass filter which blocks the visible radiation but not the UV light.

However, UV fluorescence imaging potentialities have never been fully explored and exploited, since imaging systems such as photographic cameras considerably limit the possibility to have reliable data and quantify the fluorescence emission.

INOA realized a novel UV imaging system which is able to overcame the present limitations and to pave the way to new applications for UV fluorescence imaging in art diagnostics.