IoT-Based Microclimate and Vibration Monitoring of a Painted Canvas on a Wooden Support in the Monastero of Santa Caterina (Palermo, Italy)

The main objective of this work is the characterization and observation of the performance of an IoT measurement and monitoring system in the field of cultural heritage conservation for assessing the health condition of artworks. This article also describes the application of this system to the monitoring of a canvas painting applied on a wooden support, an artwork from the 19th century by the painter Giuseppe Patricolo depicting The Deposition, placed inside a niche in the Santa Caterina Monastery in Palermo (Italy). Considering the presence of the wooden structure, it is useful to measure not only microclimatic parameters such as temperature and humidity, but also vibrations that can in fact cause degradation phenomena in these artworks. This is a first step towards the development of mimetic systems integrated in the work of art without causing physical, mechanical or chemical alterations and ensuring that the level of microclimatic parameters is below the threshold values whose exceeding could compromise the entire artefact.

Automated summary

The main objective of this work is to study the performance of an IoT measurement and monitoring system in the field of cultural heritage conservation, and to apply this system to monitor a 19th century artwork. It is important to measure not only microclimatic parameters such as temperature and humidity, but also vibrations that can cause degradation phenomena in these artworks, considering the wooden structure.