Raphael’s La Fornarina (also known in English as Portrait of a Young Woman), which is held in Palazzo Barberini, was carefully examined to monitor its state of conservation before being sent to the great exhibition of Raphael’s works being prepared at the Scuderie del Quirinale in Rome.

On January 28, on the first day of study, Haltadefinizione performed a photographic scan and digital acquisition using new Gigapixel+3D technology. This included not only the well-known front of the painting, but also the back and all sides of the work.

The detailed digital mapping of all of its features was done using digital imaging technology that Haltadefinizione has developed with its partner Memooria. The companies have built a sophisticated robotic camera and measurement system that carefully controls the camera and lighting. It is able to collect an array of data and photographic images of the painting that are then assembled into a perfect 3D model.

Every little detail of La Fornarina will be revealed, from single brush strokes to the small cracks in the surface. This new technology is an important contribution to monitoring the state of conservation of artworks. It also allows for careful comparison with other digital models of the same works that can be done in the future.

The Gigapixel image of La Fornarina will be available this February, in the Haltadefinizione Image Bank.

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