Monica Volinia

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About

Monica Volinia is a leading conservation scientist whose work bridges art history and advanced engineering to safeguard cultural heritage. Her primary research focuses on the non-invasive monitoring of historic wall paintings, with a particular emphasis on detecting moisture-related deterioration in frescoes. Her most cited work, "Monitoring of historical frescoes by timed infrared imaging analysis" (2015, 41 citations), introduced a pioneering methodology that uses timed infrared thermography to visualize hidden water damage—specifically subflorescence and efflorescence—before it becomes visible to the naked eye. This contribution is critical, as moisture cycles are the primary cause of permanent structural and aesthetic damage to frescoes. Volinia’s approach allows conservators to intervene early, preventing irreversible loss. Beyond this paper, she has developed integrated protocols combining thermography with other imaging techniques, influencing restoration practices for UNESCO World Heritage sites. Her work is widely cited by engineers, art restorers, and heritage scientists, underscoring its interdisciplinary impact. Volinia’s achievements exemplify how cutting-edge diagnostic tools can preserve irreplaceable cultural artifacts for future generations.