The Conservator´s View into the Depht

Conservators`contribution to the knowledge of cultural heritage is gained by looking into the depth of artifacts , into the material´s structure. The tools are microscopy, X-ray, infrared -reflctometry or ultraviolet - fluorescence microscopy and computer tomography. Findings are sometimes sensational and attract publicity. The Germanisches Nationalmuseum re-wrote art history by identifying a portrait by Rembrandt and by identifying a painting of Albrecht Dürer´s mother created by her son himself. The pendant with Dürer´s father is housed in the Uffizi. The X-ray investigations of the famous St. Rochus sculpture in Sa. Annunziata in Florence by Veit Stoß gave new inside into the sculpturing technique, which got already an euology by Giorgio Vasari. Not to forget: one more application of "looking into the depth" is unveiling of forgery.