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Abstract: Wall paintings in the XVI century Serra Chapel in the “Chiesa di Nostra Signora del Sacro Cuore” Rome, have been studied using unilateral NMR. In order to map the distribution of moisture content in the wall painted, a large number of Hahn echo measurements, covering large areas of the wall painting were performed. Because the intensity of the Hahn echo is proportional to the amount of moisture in the area under study, the experimental data were transformed into 2D gradient colour maps which allowed an easy visualization of the moisture content of the wall. The state of conservation of the wall painting was monitored using T 2 measurements specially with regards to outcropping salt. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Unilateral NMR has been used to monitor the state of conservation of frescoes in the Vasari’s house in Florence. The causes of deterioration of ancient frescoes are varied, which result in the detachment and crumbling of the painted film from the supporting plaster and in the outcropping of salts. Unilateral measurements of Hahn echo performed on such frescoes have allowed a perfect identification of the detachment of the painted film from the plaster. The presence of soluble salts on the pictorial film affects the spin–spin relaxation times, T 2. It is then possible using this technique, to characterize the effect of chemical treatments, of cleansing and consolidation procedures using the distribution of T 2 spin–spin relaxation times. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]