'Material X' is my proposed app that will bring cutting edge research discoveries from the field of technical art history to the classroom. Inspired by a recent visit to the Art Gallery of Ontario's Picasso: Painting the Blue Period exhibit, which showcases the multi-institutional work of technical art historians, curators, and conservation scientists in uncovering hidden portraits behind the legendary artist's well-known (or believed to be well-known) works, this app leverages Augmented Reality (AR) to create an immersive and transformative learning experience for art history students.

Technical art history is a relatively new branch of art history that explores artwork as a 'physical object'. The field seeks to examine the materials, techniques and production methods that are involved in the creation of artwork. This focus is closely intertwined with an attention to the artists frame of mind during the artworks creation, as well as the processes by which the artwork is created. In terms of technologies used, state-of-the-art imaging and analytical technologies are employed. Examples of such technologies include, but are not limited to: x-radiography, macro x-ray fluorescence (XRF) scanning, infrared reflectance imaging spectroscopy, and paint sample microanalysis. These techniques allow experts who may have a 'hunch' there is something 'more' or 'behind' the painting to support their hypothesis with tangible scientific proof.

Before we delve into the 'how' of the app, let's look at the 'why'? Where is the gap in education, and why is this field - and its discoveries - so important that an app should be created to support art history learners?

Take a look at the discoveries made by researchers involved in the Picasso project, as well as those of the University of Glasgow's Technical Art History Group and its 'Take An Object' Exhibition. The selected videos provide a clear sense for how these technologies are used, and how they have (re-)shaped the way artists, and their artworks, are understood.

X-radiography simply suggested a "ghostly" image under The Blue Room.

XRF Scanning involves a x-ray laser beam with a diameter of less than 1 mm. This laser beam produces fluorescence in an area of the artwork, indicating chemical elements that can identify the pigments.

This analysis can be done to pain samples that are cracked or worn away, and can provide details about pigment mixtures and paint layering. This process can tell you about pain application and characteristics of the mixtures. Each layer can be analyzed to provide more information about composition.