The study of the X-rays of Russian paintings of the first half of the XX century in the State Research Institute for Restoration. Objectives of the new theme

The Department of Scientific Expertise of the State Research Institute for Restoration stores an extensive archive of radiographs accumulated over half a century. A significant place in this archive is occupied by a collection of X-ray images of Russian paintings dating by the first half of the 20th century. It includes unpublished materials that are necessary for studying of works of many great masters. The X-rays were made as a part of conservation works and served these purposes. Now it is necessary to re-claim this very important material - already at an in-depth research stage. An X-ray can reveal the under-lying image or the nature of the author’s corrections. X-rays can also help to evaluate the condition of the painting - see the areas of destruction and signs of conservation treatments. It also serves the purpose of studying the characteristics of the artist's painting techniques, making it possible to judge the nature of the artist’s touch, its form, the principles of modeling, the stages of work with the picture, and the materials used in the process of work. The results of the X-ray analysis play an important role in the study of the technical and technological structure of paintings, they are among the most important scientifical tools in attribution, they often make it possible to draw new conclusions on the dating. The fulfillment of the study theme “Research of the collection of radiographs (the period of the 1970s - early 1990s) of works of Russian painting of the first half of the 20th century from the museums of the USSR, stored in the archive of the department of scientific expertise of the State Research Institute for Restoration” is divided into several phases, starting with primary identification and systematization, digitization and archiving, then identification of the most informative and significant material, and finally its interpretation and introduction into scientific circulation. This research will contribute to the more effective and efficient solution to the problems arising in attribution and dating of works of Russian art of the first half of the 20th century stored in Russian museums.