Recent events have made us wonder: Can we use photogrammetry in the preservation of art and rare items? This year, a whirlwind heist inundated the news the nonchalant theft within the Louvre of the crown jewels. Apparently, the jewels were a bit too publicly accessible! Aside from increasing security and greater discernment of maintenance crews, how can we ensure the protection of priceless pieces of art or rare items?
Protecting the “Protected”
High-stakes heists are a popular movie trope. Often characterized by charismatic personalities, invaluable art or gems, extensive planning and thrilling get aways. The lackluster reality of scooting off with the crown jewels raises the point of how fragile cultural heritage can be. However, is protecting art via the creation of digital copies a solution? We’ve used photogrammetry for preservation by documenting shipwrecks and WWII heritage sites, why not art?
In another, more clumsy, example a child visiting a museum inadvertently knocked over a 3,500 year old jar. In Egypt, an 3,000 year old golden bracelet was stolen by preservationists and smelted down for a little over 4,000$. Even under the designated protection of a museum, artifacts, art pieces, and other invaluable items are at some level of risk. Considering recent news regarding the risk facing art and other invaluable cultural heritage items, photogrammetry came to mind. Simon found a way to test photogrammetry for the preservation of art earlier this month.
Photogrammetry for Preservation of Art
Spotted while visiting Sally Burnett’s studio, Simon asked fit he could create a 3D replica of her work “Ammonite“. The intricate details adorning the exterior are remarkable. Sally Burnett carved the fossil features and other markings by hand after turning the initial shape. Having both a unique shape and precise details, we began to think about scanning the piece. Consequently, we are always looking for new applications of photogrammetry, preservation and digital modeling, why not contemporary art? This piece offers a great opportunity to test photogrammetry for preservation of art.
Sally Burnett’s Ammonite is a small but worthy test subject of how photogrammetry for art preservation can safeguard contemporary craft. Turned from storm-damaged sycamore, the vessel maintains the tree’s natural split and bark inclusion. Transforming what was once firewood into a sculptural form inspired by the Jurassic Coast. Hand-carved fossil motifs wrap around the surface, echoing the ancient beauty and histories held inside local rock strata of Dorset.
Scanning Art
Using 3D Zephyr, Simon placed “Ammonite,” on an isolated turntable and began the process of digitally capturing the piece with a pair of stereo cameras, a technique covered in AccuPixel’s Advanced courses. Conversely, using the mask tool was necessary as the camera lens used was not optimum and the background needed masking, another technique that is taught in our Foundation courses. Standing about 9″ tall, the unique art piece became a 3D Model via the collection of 280 photos. As seen in the model below, there is no loss of the detail; now a precise and to scale model exists.
Furthermore, by creating a high-resolution 3D model, photogrammetry for art preservation records every detail. Each curve of the sycamore. Every chisel mark. Even the duality between dark acrylic color and pale wood. If the original piece is sold, damaged, or reworked in the future, the digital model still allows curators, researchers, and students to study Burnett’s technique in detail. In this way, photogrammetry for art preservation extends the life of Ammonite. Immortality beyond the gallery, turning a single wooden vessel into a permanent digital reference. A referenceable chapter in the story of British studio craft.
One important point: This 3D model is governed by copyright, but in technical terms is known as a derived work, that is to say it’s been created from the work of another. Simon is very grateful to Sally for agreeing to have her work copied in this way before the process of copying commenced. Respect for artists always dictate prior permission must be sought first.
Digital Models: Ensuring protection of Art
While in the case of theft, the world would lose a beautiful work of art, but what about the art pieces of historic and educational value? It is one thing to lose a modern work of art, but what about the Venus de Milo? What about the British Crown Jewels? While these examples have endured, albeit suffering the loss of a few limbs, using photogrammetry for the preservation of art ensures a digital and accessible copy in perpetuity. In a pragamtic or worst case scenario, we also have seen how 3D printing can be successful in adjacent to photogrammetric scans. Additionally, consider the benefits of accessibility of art and rare pieces for researchers and other educational purposes. Currently, We see museums are starting to offer 3D tours of their facilities. We also see the possibilities and value of implementing photogrammetry on individual pieces of art.
As we have seen with the Thistlegorm Project, creating digital models can be an enriching public asset. As not everyone has the capacity to visit specific sites or museums, photogrammetry is accessible for anyone with an internet connection. Given that, art students from Manila can study the techniques of the masters housed in the Louvre. A little girl in Mexico can browse the endless collection of the British Museum, looking over every detail and sparking a lifelong interest. Today, the possession of heritage items sparks numerous controversies. However, photogrammetry can increase accessibility for preserved art beyond the physical and limiting walls of a museum.
Closing statements on Photogrammetry for the Preservation of Art
Not only does photogrammetry allow for a precise and accessible record of an art piece, but it also protects from the complete loss of an item if it were to be broken or stolen. While it is difficult to guarantee absolute protection for cultural heritage items or pieces of art, photogrammetry can offer preservation through digitization. As in this case, the work of art was a sculpture, we still stand to test what other mediums of art can be preserved via photogrammetry.