This paper (book chapter) presents a general insight into the use of the Multi-Light Reflectance technology illustrated with recordings and results obtained with the Multispectral Portable Light Dome system on typical (pre-)antique archaeological objects from Southwest Asia and Ancient Egypt.
Hameeuw, H., Van der Perre, A., Boschloos, V. (2023). Interactive 2D and Multispectral Imaging on the Crossroads of Archaeology, Egyptology and Assyriology. In: V. Bigot Juloux, A. Di Ludovico, S. Matskevich (Eds.), The Ancient World Goes Digital: Case Studies on Archaeology, Texts, Online Publishing, Digital Archiving, and Preservation, Chapt. 3, (72-111). (Digital Biblical Studies, 6). Brill. ISBN: 9789004527119. doi: 10.1163/9789004527119_005
1 – Poster on MA-XRF, MS-PLD, RAMS and MSI applications on a variation of case-studies in an 8th century illuminated manuscript
Watteeuw L., Hameeuw H., Vandermeulen B., Van Bos M. (2020). The study of characteristics of an 8th century illuminated manuscript by combined use of MA-XRF and Imaging with the Multispectral Microdome. The Codex Eyckensis explored. Presented at the Cancelled due to COVID-19 ICOM-CC 19th Triennial Conference Beijing, China. Online May 2021 14–18 September 2020, Beijng. (link)
Illustration on ICOM-CC poster: “Tracing compass marks and x-y-z distances with MSMD dataset, with texture map and without, CE-A, folio 1v”
2 – Applying the PLD system to scan an entire archaeological sub-collection with a variety of artifacts
Hameeuw H., Tavernier J. (2021). La collection Proche-Orient ancien du Musée L mise en lumière. In: L. Courtois (Eds.), Les études orientales à l’Université de Louvain depuis 1834. Hommes et réalisations, (479-487). (Histoire, 12). Brussels: Éditions Safran. ISBN: 978-2-87457-124-4. (link)
Ill. 4. in La collection Proche-Orient ancien du Musée L mise en lumière (Histoire 12 – Éditions Safran): “AC 70 : Différentes visualisations en 3D du médaillon d’une lampe à huile”
3 – Study of the Medieval illuminations in the Rijmbijbel of Jacob van Maerlant manuscript, combined research with MA-XRF and MS-PLD
Watteeuw L., Van Bos M., Tatiana G., Vandermeulen B., Hameeuw H. (2020). An applied complementary use of Macro X-ray Fluorescence scanning and Multi-light reflectance imaging to study Medieval Illuminated Manuscripts. The Rijmbijbel of Jacob van Maerlant. Microchemical Journal. (https://doi.org/10.1016/j.microc.2019.104582) (link)
Fig 2 in An applied complementary use of Macro X-ray Fluorescence scanning and Multi-light reflectance imaging to study Medieval Illuminated Manuscripts (Microchemical Journal 155 June 2020):”Selection of MS MD imaging, rendering and processing results”
4 – Detecting under-drawings, identifying pigments, visualizing thickness pigment layers and comparing pre- and post-restoration phases
Hameeuw H., Watteeuw L., Vandermeulen B., Proesmans M. (2021). The painted panels of the early sixteenth century Mechelen Enclosed Gardens Art technical Examination with the Photometric Stereo: White Light and Multispectral Microdomes. In: L. Watteeuw (Eds.), Papers Presented at the Twentieth Symposium for the Study of Underdrawing and Technology in Painting held in Mechelen and Leuven, 11-13 January 2017: vol. 20, (165-175). Presented at the Imaging Utopia: New Perspectives on Northern Renaissance Art, Leuven, 11 Jan 2017-13 Feb 2017. Leuven. ISBN: 978-90-429-4152-6. (link)
Ill. 14.5 in The painted panels of the early sixteenth century Mechelen Enclosed Gardens Art technical Examination with the Photometric Stereo: White Light and Multispectral Microdomes (Underdrawing and Technology in Painting. Symposia 20): “Detail visualizing under-drawings in PLD software interface compared with IRR-recording”
In 2016 a lead curse tablet (defixionis) was excavated in a Roman era (dated 70-275 AD) context by Aron bvba at the Regulierenplein (City of Tongeren, Belgium). A recording with the WLminiD of the Portable Light Dome system gave researchers the needed visual insights for the examination and study of this exceptional find.
Comparison on obverse of lead curse tablet based on a Portable Light Dome (White Light) recording, left: color; Right: curvature visualization.
Some publications on this lead curse tablet:
Roxanne Bélanger Sarrazin, Alain Delattre, Daniel Demaiffe, Natasja De Winter, Alain Martin, Georges Raepsaet & Marie-Thérèse Raepsaet-Charlier, avec la collaboration de Cecilia Melaerts-Saerens & Frank Scheppers, Iaô Sabaôth. Pratiques magiques dans la cité des Tongres: une tablette de défixion mise en contexte. Bruxelles, Association Égyptologique Reine Élisabeth, 2019, 120 p., fig. ISBN 978-2-9600834-5-3.r
Roxane Bélanger Sarrazin, Alain Delattre, Daniel Demaiffe, Natasja De Winter, Alain Martin, Georges Raepsaet & Marie-Thérèse Raepsaet-Charlier, Une tablette de défixion récemment découverte à Tongres, in: Latomus 78 (2019), p. 471-481, 5 fig. (see researchgate.net)
Comparison on obverse of lead curse tablet based on a Portable Light Dome (White Light) recording, left: color; Right: sketch1 visualization.
In the framework of the FINGERPRINT project (see also posts: Sept 25, 2019 and Sept 27, 2017) graphic artwork of Pieter Bruegel the Elder (or his circle) have been imaged and studied with the Portable Light Dome systems and/or in combination with other imaging methods. Since, some of these researches have been published:
Comparison as published in the reference below, MSMicroD, false colors, revealing the difference in inks (collection: KBR SII132816, Luxuria)
Watteeuw Lieve, Marina Van Bos, M., Maarten Bassen, Van Grieken Joris, Currie Christina, Vandermeulen Bruno, Hameeuw Hendrik, Martens Maximiliaan 2020: Four Drawings by Pieter Bruegel the Elder: Art-technical Research, in: A. Hoppe-Harnoncourt, E. Oberthaler, S. Penot, M. Sellink, R. Spronk (eds.), Bruegel. The Hand of the Master. The 450 Anniversary Edition. Essays in Context, Vienna, 52-64. (link)
Upperleft corner of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Harris Brisbane Dick Fund, 1932, inv. no. 32.63 woodblock, in a comparison between visualizations with the MSMicroD (color and normal map), as discussed in the reference below.
Watteeuw Lieve 2019: Bruegel’s Drawing of The Dirty Bride (C. 1566). A FINGERPRINT Project Case Study, in: Maarten Bassens; Lieve Watteeuw; Jan Van der Stock; Joris Van Grieken (eds.), Bruegel in Black and White. The Complete Graphic Works, KBR, Brussels and Thames & Hudson, London, 50-57. (link)
For a recent publication in which MA-XRF, standard photographic and multispectral imaging methods have been combined, see:
Watteeuw Lieve, Marina Van Bos, Joris Van Grieken, Maarten Bassens, Bruno Vandermeulen & Hendrik Hameeuw 2021: View of the Strait of Messina, by Circle of Pieter Bruegel the Elder: Drawing Techniques and Materials examined, in: Curie Christina (ed.) The Bruegel Success Story, Papers Presented at Symposium XXI for the Study of Underdrawing and Technology in Painting, Brussels, 12-14 September 2018, Underdrawing and Technology in Painting, Symposia 21, 465-475. (link)
In an interview in the KU Leuven university journal Campuskrant with prof. Lieve Watteeuw the KU Leuven contributions to the FINGERPRINT project have been highlighted in length. The Campus article focuses on the work with the original drawings by Pieter Bruegel the Elder and how the imaging effort by the FINGERPRINT-team have made the difference to better understand the virtuosity of Breugel the artist. These results will also be presented on the KBR exhibition: The World of Bruegel in Black and White.
The PIXEL+ project aims to formulate and engineer methods to bring together existing multi-light reflectance (MLR) imaging methods. That is to make it possible image data-sets (processed or not) from one system can benefit from the processing, viewing and analysis strategies applied by others. Secondly, the project develops a browser-based viewer in which a set of MLR types of data-sets can be consulted with a extended number viewing and analytical solutions.
“Pixel+: Universal web interface for Interactive Pixel Based file formats” is funded via Belspo BRAIN-BE Pioneer and coordinated via the Federal Scientific Institution: Royal Museums of Art and History, together with the formal partners Royal Library of Belgium, ESAT (KU Leuven) and Illuminare (KU Leuven), informal KU Leuven Libraries.
First results
During 3 conferences (DH Benelux, DH2018 & EuroMed2018), spread over the last couple of months, the project goals and the first results have been launched.
Left: DH Benelux at Amsterdam conference abstract
Right: DH2018 at San Francisco conference manage session
Left: EuroMed2018 at Nicosia conference paper (Award: Best Short Paper)
Right: EuroMed2018 at Nicosia conference poster
The first major step which has been made comprises the integration of processed RTI data-sets into the PLDviewer environment.
Next steps
Fine-tuning of the first integration method (processed RTI into PLDviewer).
Assessing the challenges related to the re-processing of the original source files to allow in depth integration of both the RTI and PLD strategies on each other’s data-sets.
Launch of a new browser-based viewer in which RTI and PLD data-sets can be consulted and analysed.
The EES-project collaborated in the joined effort to develop the multi-spectral component of the Portable Light Dome system. Below the final report of the entire project as published via its funding organisation BELSPO (see also their projects webpage):
Luc Delvaux, Hendrik Hameeuw, Athena Van der Perre, Vanessa Boschloos, France Ossieur, Bruno Vandermeulen, Marc Proesmans, Dennis Braekmans 2017: Conservation, IR, UV and 3D-Imaging: The Egyptian Execration Statuettes Project. Final Report, Belgian Science Policy – Brussels, pp 66. (DOI: 10.13140/RG.2.2.10989.28649)
In 2019, worldwide attention will be paid to Pieter Bruegel the Elder. It is then exactly 450 years ago that the famous artist
passed away. Therefore, Bruegel will be celebrated in exhibitions all over the world. But, new exhibitions require new research and research techniques. That’s why the Royal Library of Belgium and the KU Leuven joined efforts in the context of a BRAIN-BE project funded by Belspo. FINGERPRINT is an interdisciplinary project in which art historical and artistic research, digital imaging and image processing, conservation and restoration projects and data management are brought together. All these efforts include as well the use of both the White Light Portable Light Dome (WL PLD) and the Multispectral Portable Light Dome (MS PLD). Their datasets are being combined with the output of standard technical photography techniques. The ultimate goal of the FINGERPRINT project is to join all this static and interactive information and develop tools and methods to analyse objectively drawings, prints and engravings of this master and others; to create a platform to examine and understand a historical artifact automatically.
A first introduction article on this new project in which the PLD systems are being applied has been published in the journal Science Connection by the Belgian Science Policy Agency Belpso:
Joris Van Grieken, Lieve Watteeuw, Bruno Vandermeulen, Marc Proesmans & Maarten Bassens 2017:
Fingerprint onderzoekt Pieter Bruegel de oude: De start van een interdisciplinaire studie van zijn tekeningen en prenten (Dutch version),
Fingerprint, projet de recherche sur Pieter Bruegel l’Ancien: Le lancement d’une étude interdisciplinair de ses dessins et estampes (French version),
Veronique Van der Stede (RMAH & ULB); Anne Devillers (RMAH & ULB); Athena Van der Perre (RMAH & KU Leuven); Hendrik Hameeuw (RMAH & KU Leuven); Vanessa Boschloos (UGent & RMAH)
The PLD-team of the Royal Museums of Art and History participated at the Second Vatican Coffin Conference from the 6th till the 9th of June 2017. In a paper they demonstrated the uses and results of the multispectral PLD system for the study of the pigment and varnish layers on Old Egyptian coffins.
H. Hameeuw, A. Van der Perre & V. Boschloos: #multispectral, #mobile, #interactive: Imaging polychrome surfaces with the MS PLD system.
A. Van der Perre, H. Hameeuw, V. Boschloos, L. Delvaux, M. Proesmans, B. Vandermeulen, L. Van Gool, L. Watteeuw 2016: Towards a combined use of IR, UV and 3D-Imaging for the study of small inscribed and illuminated artefacts, in: Homem P. M. (ed.), Lights On … Cultural Heritage and Museums!, Porto, 163-192.
Veronique Van der Stede (RMAH & ULB); Anne Devillers (RMAH & ULB); Athena Van der Perre (RMAH & KU Leuven); Hendrik Hameeuw (RMAH & KU Leuven); Vanessa Boschloos (UGent & RMAH)
Portable Light Dome 