The visual perception of artworks at the National Museum of San Matteo (Pisa, Italy)

This study aimed to investigate how different light sources, their particular settings and the contrast they create between the artworks on display and their backgrounds affect the visual perception of art and space and visitors preference when it comes to lighting arrangements. The study involved a psychophysical experiment that was performed in two exhibition rooms at the National Museum of San Matteo in Pisa (Italy), using two artworks from its permanent collection, namely a panel painting and a marble sculpture. The experiment was carried out by 55 people, who were asked to assess and evaluate different lighting configurations for the two artworks and compare them in terms of contrast, enhancement of the characteristics of the artworks and, finally, personal preference. The purpose of the study was to find out whether there are correlations between the three aforementioned parameters and, especially, whether contrast and enhancement have a tangible effect on personal preference. The final goal was to identify and define lighting configurations that offer the best impression of the artworks, in terms of both faithfulness to the original message of the artist and enjoyment of the exhibition for visitors to the museum. In addition, the experiment was designed to investigate whether viewers prefer lighting configurations that enhance the artworks or whether personal preference is actually driven by other factors, such as individual feelings and specific messages communicated by the artworks. The experiment involved various lighting configurations: three traditional configurations, created using spotlights and wallwashers with warm light, and one configuration made by mixing smaller spotlights with different CCTs, which tested the so-called Monza Method. ARCOS LED expert spotlights, ARCOS wallwashers and SUPERSYSTEM II spotlights were installed to realise the multiple test lighting configurations, which featured combinations of the various luminaires and different settings, optics and lenses. The study found that the observers generally preferred more neutral configurations, which created an intermediate contrast ratio between the exhibits and their backgrounds. Furthermore, the lighting solutions that were described as relaxing and simple were rated as the most pleasant and interesting, while more uniform scenarios were seen as being boring and not suitable for the enhancement of the artworks.