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Seminar - Looking at Paintings through the Eyes of a Computer

22 April 2013

In a seminar on 25 April, Robert Erdmann and Laurens van der Maaten, who are both working on the Texture Analysis Challenge for The Arts Theme Group, will provide insight into how modern computer techniques may help technical art historians and conservators in their work.

About the Seminar

In this talk, we will give an overview of our work on using modern computer techniques in the analysis of paintings, and present the advances we have made during our stay at NIAS. In particular, we will present (1) new tools developed for the visualization of high-resolution imagery of paintings across multiple wavelengths, including visible, infrared, and x-rays; and (2) a new technique developed for the analysis of the canvas supports of three paintings by Nicolas Poussin.

We will provide insight into how these new techniques may help technical art historians and conservators in their work. Specifically, we will demonstrate how our tools make it easier for art historians and conservators to identify certain features of Hieronymus Bosch paintings, and we will show how our techniques may provide new art-historical insights reuniting Poussin’s Bacchanals painted for Cardinal Richelieu.

About NIAS Seminars

NIAS Seminars are organised by the Rector of the Institute. They are meant to appeal to interested parties from a wide range of backgrounds and are aimed to encourage closer contact within the Dutch academic world.

NIAS Seminars take place in the Lecture Room (NIAS, Meijboomlaan 1, Wassenaar, telephone 070-512 27 00). This Seminar starts at 11.00 hours and ends at 12.30. Everyone is welcome to attend the seminar and join the discussion. However, since changes in the programme may occur, please let us know if you wish to attend. For further information, contact Communication.

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