Scientific Analysis, Traceability and Study of Artworks
ACTIO is a new technological enterprise specialized in the identification, datation, authentication and cataloging of artworks. It was created in July of 2009 by professionals and academics of the Polytechnical University of Catalonia with experience in non destructive analysis of the cultural heritage.
ACTIO develops its activities such as in plastic arts as well as in artistic patrimonial documents and objects. It disposes of the most advanced non invasive technologies to carry out scientific analysis and, in particular, laser spectrometers based on Raman effect which is a powerful tool in order to precisely know the molecular composition and crystalline structure of pigments and dyes.
The non destructive study of an artwork with its corresponding scientific document is the prime product that ACTIO offers. At the moment, there is no direct rival yet known on this kind of activities. Today, the international recommendations propose the use of new technologies in order to guarantee the quality of the artistic objects. This, obviously, would help to recover the confidence of the market.
There are three essential and distinctive characteristics of the scientific-artistic report that ACTIO offers. First, the absolute scientific reliability with respect to the analyzed substances (though there exist similarities among them); second, the objectivity that the report carries based on scientific analysis; and third, the non destructive rigorous character of the analytical process without any microsample extraction of the painting.
The original team of the group is formed by Telecom engineers, historians and chemists with extended experience in optical technologies and analysis of artworks. All of this is verified by national and international publications and various Scientifics works.
The Polytechnical University of Catalonia is a partner of ACTIO, and collaborates in many research projects. ACTIO is situated in the K2M building within the Campus Nord of the UPC.
