Examples of art-historical applications

Some examples of applications for art-historical Analysis
by means of 3d measurements

Free selection of point of view:
A main advantage of topometric data capturing is that one can view the virtual model from all sides at a computer screen. When the data are sufficiently compressed, the 3D model can even be made accessible over the internet, with interactive viewing and zooming.

Comparison of sculptures regarding dimensions and proportions:
One of the most interesting applications of geometrical models consists in the possibility to compare sculptures located in different collections with each other in all details, without need to transport the items. With special inspection software, even the tiniest differences between two sculptures can be quantified and visualized.

Qualitative Comparison of Sculptures:
High-resolution models allow to document and study surface characteristics like scratches, fractures, plaster bubbles, etc. By comparing plaster objects to undamaged reference items one could answer the question, for example, if the much-discussed Toronto plasters actually lack profile and detail because of wear and tear during foundry processes. Detailerfassung eines Kratzers im Gipsmaterial

Original or fake?:
By documenting morphological details "finger prints" of sculptures can be made, that can help to identify single items unambiguously, e.g. for insurance purposes or to protect the artist or the owner of the original against unauthorised reproduction. It would also be possible to detect fakes, that look identical to authentic sculptures when viewed with the bare eye but show significant differences when inspected more exactly by means of 3D data.

Documentation and conservation of the present state:
By means of 3D measurements the present state of an art object can be preserved in digital media; this way fragile or perishable objects can be conservated. It is also possible to document the present condition of an object before a planned restauration. By scanning the object a second time, a before/after analysis can be performed. Scanning outdoor sculptures at fixed time intervals allows for long time research of erosion effects.

Formfälschung der Zehen durch Restauration Detect and illustrate falsifying restaurations:
A detailed morphological comparison of two examples of the same subject can eventually show up restaurations that have caused involuntary falsifications of the original shape.

Reconstruction of the original model:
3D analysis can also show up purely contingent characteristics of an example, caused by unprecise fitting of mould forms or irregular flowing, drying or shrinking of the material used. By comparing several examples, such individual, accidental characteristics can be filtered out, so that the underlying, common original model can be reconstructed.

Ziselierung eines Bronzegusses Documenting the shrinking process during casting:
Still another application can be found in the geometrical comparison of a plaster cast with a bronze cast deducted from this plaster shape. An exact morphological analysis allows for determining the exact quantity of metal shrinking and can point out formal deformations due to irregular shrinking or unprofessional chiselling.

Qualitative/quantitative comparison of competing casting methods:
It would be possible to compare the results of lost wax and sand casting - two casting methods that already competed during Rodin's life-time Linkes Ohr des monumentalen Denkers .

Visualise deformations due to enlargement and reduction of sculptures:
From ca. 1900 on, Rodin had his collaborator Henri LeBossé produce a series of enlargements and reductions, in order to satisfy the differentiated needs of collectors and institutions. These translations were made by means of a Collas Machine and then corrected under the personal supervision of the artist. Since virtual models can be variably scaled, it would be possible to determine the exact effect of this process with regard to formal trueness.

Comparing initial model and final execution:
By the same methods, it is possible to compare the first draft of a sculpture with the later, final execution and visualise the adaptions and corrections made the sculptor in their exact quantitative amount.

Compare the execution of marble sculptures by different praticiens:
Rodin had his marble sculptures executed by talented young sculptors, who sometimes left their own impress of style in the final work (for example Jean Escoula, Bust of Mme Vicuna). By comparing different marbles executed by different praticiens, it would be possible to determine how much of their own "handwriting" these praticiens realised in their respective executions.