Technical study for restoration of mural paintings through the transfer of a photographic image to the vault of a church

• Published in: Journal of cultural heritage 2022-11, Vol.58, p.112-121
• Main Authors: Priego, Enrique, Herráez, José, Denia, José Luis, Navarro, Pablo
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: 3D model; Cultural heritage; Digital restoration; Laser scanner
• ISSN: 1296-2074; 1778-3674
• DOI: 10.1016/j.culher.2022.09.023

This study, which is part of the project for the restoration of the pictorial set that Antonio Palomino painted on the vault of the central nave of the Church of the Santos Juanes in the city of Valencia (Spain), describes the complete geometric study for the digital restitution of these paintings, after their partial destruction in a fire caused during the Spanish Civil War. Two analogic black and white photographs taken before the fire (1920), will be the key to the rehabilitation of these valuable paintings. 3D modelling with laser scanning systems of the vault provides the geometry with precision and a high level of detail of the surface on which the paintings were carried out, in addition to the structural elements that make up the architecture of the temple. The solution proposed approaches a new methodology for the digital reconstruction of the rectified image and its subsequent georeferencing, as well as the entire environment to determine the correct location of the artistic work. Today, digital or virtual restoration is considered a very useful technique for the restoration of old photographs, but it is also an excellent opportunity to develop possible solutions in restoration of paintings and frescoes. This paper describes the initial process of transferring the paintings of this Spanish artist, from a photographic image of the original frescoes (2D) to the irregular surface and volume (3D) of the current cover of this Valencian Royal Parish, through a restoration of the mural set.