Image fusion for difference visualization in art analysis

A new method for difference visualization is presented, oriented on the art analysis application. Compared images are combined into one fused image without losing important image context. Dissimilar regions are highlighted by color, which encodes localized differences. The method was developed for comparison of artwork copies, but it can be applied for general image comparison, too. The method is based on diverging color maps. The color representation of the difference is comprehensible, naturally ordered, and has maximal displayable resolution. The applicability of the method is demonstrated on hierarchy ordering of the copies of the ”A boy with a bird” painting by Mons Bernardo (1624-1687).