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Light, shadows and surface characteristics: the multispectral Portable Light Dome

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Abstract

A multispectral, multidirectional, portable and dome-shaped acquisition system is developed within the framework of the research projects RICH (KU Leuven) and EES (RMAH, Brussels) in collaboration with the ESAT–VISICS research group (KU Leuven). The multispectral Portable Light Dome (MS PLD) consists of a hemispherical structure, an overhead camera and LEDs emitting in five parts of the electromagnetic spectrum regularly covering the dome’s inside surface. With the associated software solution, virtual relighting and enhancements can be applied in a real-time, interactive manner. The system extracts genuine 3D and shading information based on a photometric stereo algorithm. This innovative approach allows for instantaneous alternations between the computations in the infrared, red, green, blue and ultraviolet spectra. The MS PLD system has been tested for research ranging from medieval manuscript illuminations to ancient Egyptian artefacts. Preliminary results have shown that it documents and measures the 3D surface structure of objects, re-visualises underdrawings, faded pigments and inscriptions, and examines the MS results in combination with the actual relief characteristics of the physical object. Newly developed features are reflection maps and histograms, analytic visualisations of the reflection properties of all separate LEDs or selected areas. In its capacity as imaging technology, the system acts as a tool for the analysis of surface materials (e.g. identification of blue pigments, gold and metallic surfaces). Besides offering support in answering questions of attribution and monitoring changes and decay of materials, the PLD also contributes to the identification of materials, all essential factors when making decisions in the conservation protocol.

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Notes

  1. For example, ancient Egyptian painted reliefs, statues and figurines. The results require further research and are therefore not published yet.

  2. The illuminations of the Bible of Anjou (Naples, c. 1340 CE, illuminated manuscript on parchment, KU Leuven, Maurits Sabbe Library, Ms 1) were examined microscopically with zenithal, transmitted and striking light. Highly detailed digital photographs (micrographs) were taken with direct, transmitted and raking light (digital camera MAMIYA RZ 67, Digital back Light Phase I/Nikon D 70 and EOS I D-Mark II, 100 mm macro lens). Experimental conditions for the XRF measurements were as follows: Rh X-ray tube, 50 kV, 500 µA, 50 keV, Mo25 µm filter, in air flow (File DI2008.09927, Marina Van Bos/KIK-IRPA).

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Acknowledgments

Reflectance Imaging for Cultural Heritage (RICH) is a project from Illuminare (Centre for the Study of Medieval Art, KU Leuven), financed by the Hercules Foundation 2012–2015 (Flemish government) (Project AKUL/11/03): http://www.illuminare.be/rich_project. The Egyptian Execration Statuettes project (EES) is financed by the Brain-be Pioneer programme of the Belgian Science Policy Office-BELSPO (Project BR/121/PI/EES): http://www.kmkg-mrah.be/conservation-ir-uv-and-3d-imaging-egyptian-execration-statuettes and supported by the BELSPO Interuniversity Attraction Poles Programme Greater Mesopotamia—Reconstruction of its Environment and History (Project IAP 7/14): http://www.greatermesopotamia.be. Special thanks go to the people involved in the Portable Light Dome projects and development: Bert Deknuydt, Stefan Gradmann, Eric Gubel, Wim Moreau, Stéphane Polis, David Tingdahl, Fred Truyen, Jan Van der Stock, Karel Van Lerberghe, Frank Verbiest, Geert Willems.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Arts, KU Leuven, Blijde Inkomststraat 21, 3000, Louvain, Belgium

    Lieve Watteeuw, Hendrik Hameeuw, Bruno Vandermeulen & Athena Van der Perre

  2. VISICS, ESAT/PSI, KU Leuven, Arenberg 10, 3001, Louvain, Belgium

    Marc Proesmans & Luc Van Gool

  3. Antiquity Department, Royal Museums of Art and History (RMAH), Jubelpark 10, 1000, Brussels, Belgium

    Hendrik Hameeuw, Athena Van der Perre, Vanessa Boschloos & Luc Delvaux

  4. Royal Institute for Cultural Heritage, Jubelpark 1, 1000, Brussels, Belgium

    Marina Van Bos

  5. Department of Archaeology, Ghent University, Sint-Pietersnieuwstraat 35 (UFo), 9000, Ghent, Belgium

    Vanessa Boschloos

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  1. Lieve Watteeuw
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  2. Hendrik Hameeuw
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  4. Athena Van der Perre
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  5. Vanessa Boschloos
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  6. Luc Delvaux
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  7. Marc Proesmans
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  8. Marina Van Bos
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  9. Luc Van Gool
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Correspondence to Lieve Watteeuw.

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Watteeuw, L., Hameeuw, H., Vandermeulen, B. et al. Light, shadows and surface characteristics: the multispectral Portable Light Dome. Appl. Phys. A 122, 976 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00339-016-0499-4

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