Digitization of Baroque sculptures: exact reproduction thanks to modern technologies

State-of-the-art technologies are becoming a key tool in the preservation of cultural heritage and are gradually opening the way to the digitization of artistic and historical objects.

We are very happy that our company could participate in the restoration of one of the national cultural monuments – the Roman pilgrimage site, which is one of the most important pilgrimage sites in Bohemia.

The Roman Passion Route was created gradually from 1658 to the middle of the 18th century. The unique ensemble of chapels and sculptures with 25 stops is located in a circuit of approximately 5 kilometers and passes through varied terrain in the open countryside around Rome. In 2018, the Ministry of Culture declared this place a national cultural monument.

In the second half of the 20th century, the Passion Way deteriorated significantly, which is why the Roman Catholic Parish in Rome underwent a complete renovation of the pilgrimage site in 2021-2023.

The task of our team was to carry out a complete digitization of the Baroque sculptures and to obtain data that would enable the reproduction of the sculptures with a high degree of accuracy. These replicas will replace the originals in their original places, while the originals will be displayed in the lapidary of the monastery in Borovany. The entire project took place under the supervision of Mr. Ing. František Mrosko, head of the Construction Department of the České Budějovice Bishopric.

There are currently many devices on the market that can capture physical objects in 3D. When choosing a device for 3D scanning, it is necessary to take into account several factors depending on the size of the object and the capture of its surface and texture, lighting conditions, the method of using the obtained data and its processing.

In this case, the MetraSCAN 3D BLACK device was chosen with an accuracy of 0,025 mm. Designed for professional use in manufacturing and metrology, this specialized device uses a C-Track optical positioning device that captures the coordinates of a measuring laser 3D scanner in real time.

MetraSCAN 3D has 15 laser crosses, which guarantees a measurement speed of up to 1,800,000 measurements per second. Thanks to the VXelements program, 3D scanning results can be obtained in an incredibly short time, which allows efficient data processing from the beginning of the measurement to the completion of the work.

For scanning purposes, all the statues were moved to the interior of the museum in Rome. According to our experienced expert Martin Rauch, who led this project, the working atmosphere when handling these art-historical monuments was unforgettable. It took two days to scan more than twenty objects. Subsequent data processing took place in our offices in Prague using the VXmodel software from Creaform, the manufacturer of the system used.

The attached images show the original statue of the Virgin Mary from the Pieta sculptures as well as its digital representation.

The data obtained by scanning, i.e. individual points, are processed by software and linked into a polygon network. These digital models offer a unique opportunity for scientists, students and the public to explore every nook and cranny without the risk of damaging the original.

The data obtained is not only crucial for creating exact copies, but also for documentation and archiving. 3D models serve as a perfect record of the state of the object at a given point in time, which is indispensable for future restoration and conservation work. These data can also be used in the reconstruction of missing parts and in the design of aids for safe handling and transport. 3D models can be shared online, meaning that cultural heritage is accessible to the general public from the comfort of their own home. This approach also promotes education and raises awareness of our history.

Created using state-of-the-art digital scanning technology, the new sculptures bring revolutionary precision in the processing of works of art. This method makes it possible to non-contactly record and reproduce the actual dimensions of objects with precise fidelity. Thanks to this, the new sculptures are almost indistinguishable from their originals, and will thus dignify the works of art that have served this place of pilgrimage for centuries.

At the same time, this will ensure that these originals will be protected from external influences and preserved for future generations, who will be able to admire their uniqueness and historical significance. This creates a bridge between the past and the present that enriches the cultural heritage and pays tribute to the art of our ancestors.