Stimulated infrared thermography applied to help restoring mural paintings

In this work, various examples of the use of the stimulated infrared thermography to help restore mural paintings are presented. First, the principles of this technique are expounded. Then, examples of devices used for the study are described. Finally, we show the possibility of in situ detection of detachments in different mural paintings: “Saint Christophe” belonging to the “Campana” collection in the “Louvre”, painted walls in the “Saint Florentin” church in “Bonnet”, painted ceilings in the “Saint-Savin-sur-Gartempe” abbey (classified in the UNESCO world heritage), and the “Cocteau” frescoes in the “Saint Pierre” vault in “Villefranche-sur-Mer”.