Guercino - Virtual exhibition in high resolution

Project, text and high resolution images by Francesco Zan
Fano, Italy - November 25, 2011

High resolution imaging

Images in high resolution were made during the exhibition Guercino a Fano organized by the Fondazione Cassa di Risparmio di Fano from May 7 to October 7, 2011. The first presentation and projection in public (slides) took place on November 25, 2011 at the conference "L'Angelo custode del Guercino: un impegno iconologico" (invitation), held at the Fondazione Cassa di Risparmio di Fano - Sala di Rappresentanza. The three altar pieces were digitized in the exhibition space (Pinacoteca San Domenico in Fano) with gigapixel-imaging (average nominal resolution: 10 pixel/mm). For some paintings microscopic scanning of portions of the surface was done with non-invasive techniques (nominal resolution from 68 to 190 pixel/mm). High resolution can be used to look at and appreciate the details, while microscopic resolution gives the chance to study the micrometric topography of brushstrokes and the state of conservation of the painting.
Worth noting is the Christ Crowned with Thorns attributed to Guercino — not included in the original exhibition — scanned with microscopic resolution to find more - or fewer - hints for comparison with other paintings documented as being by Guercino.
For The Child's Face (Guardian Angel) microscopic resolution has been provided with several layers (overlay) produced with algorithms applied during the post-processing stage. Of these, the false-relief layer is mostly interesting because it simulates brushstrokes in relief and enhances the vision of extraneous objects.

The Marriage of the Virgin Viewer: Js2 | Js | Flash	Guardian Angel Viewer: Js2 | Js | Flash	St. John the Baptist Viewer: Js2 | Js | Flash	Christ Crowned with Thorns Viewer: Js2 | Js | Flash
Resolution: 9,3 pixel/mm	Resolution: 10,6 pixel/mm	Resolution: 11,5 pixel/mm	High resolution below
The Eye of the Virgin Viewer: Js2 | Js | Flash	The Child's Face Viewer: Js2 | Js | Flash		The Face of Christ Viewer: Js2 | Js| Flash
Resolution: 124,9 pixel/mm	Resolution: 160,1 pixel/mm		Resolution: 249,2 pixel/mm

Information on paintings

No content from this site may be reproduced in any way without joint written permission by the author Francesco Zan, Fondazione Cassa di Risparmio di Fano and the appropriate copyright owner specified below.
For academic viewing (classroom, presentations, etc.) please contact Francesco Zan

The Marriage of the Virgin - Giovan Francesco Barbieri best known as Guercino, 1648, oil on canvas, cm 310 x 190
Fano, Pinacoteca San Domenico (già Fano, Chiesa di San Paterniano, Mariotti Chapel)
Copyright © 2011 Fondazione Cassa di Risparmio di Fano

Guardian Angel - Giovan Francesco Barbieri best known as Guercino, 1641, oil on canvas, cm 292 x 178
Fano, Pinacoteca civica
Copyright © 2011 Curia Vescovile, Diocesi di Fano Fossombrone Cagli Pergola

St. John the Baptist at the Well - Giovan Francesco Barbieri best known as Guercino, 1661, oil on canvas, cm 243 x 169
Musée Fabre de Montpellier Agglomération (formerly in Fano, San Pietro in Valle Church, Alavolini Chapel)
Copyright © 2011 Musée Fabre de Montpellier Agglomération

Christ Crowned with Thorns - Attributed to Guercino, oil on copper, cm 34,6 x 28,7
Fano, Pinacoteca San Domenico (Apse), on loan from Fondazione "Giancarlo Quarta" in Milan
Copyright © 2011 Fondazione Giancarlo Quarta

Numbers

• approx. 1300 images
• 7,6 Gigabyte of pixels on streaming
• 190 pixel (points) per millimeter the maximum nominal resolution - a record on the Internet (as of November 2011)

Credits

Images: high resolution, microscopic resolution, and post-processing by Francesco Zan

English language consultant: Angela Gibbon

Streaming server: high resolution images are hosted on the streaming server with IIPImage technology managed and provided by Gostec Fano.
The dedicated server offers best performance and meets the highest security standard for high resolution image protection.