Systematic integration of 2D and 3D sources for the virtual reconstruction of lost heritage artefacts: the equestrian monument of Francesco III d’Este (1774–1796, Modena, Italy)

Abstract

The role of 3D virtual reconstruction of lost heritage artefacts is acquiring ever-greater importance, as a support for archaeological research and art history studies, as well as a vehicle for the cultural and evocative involvement of the end-user. The main risk of virtual reconstruction is the lack of a faithful restitution but, conversely, very often the artefact conservation state does not allow a complete 3D reconstruction. Therefore, 2D sources, both textual and iconographic, represent a precious integration and completion of the existing 3D sources. This paper proposes an operating systematic workflow to integrate retrieved 2D and 3D sources and assess their compatibility for the virtual reconstruction of lost heritage artefacts using and integrating 3D survey and digital modelling. As a case study, we virtually reconstructed the lost equestrian monument of Duke Francesco III d'Este, 7 m high, built in 1774 in Modena, Italy, by the sculptor Giovanni Antonio Cybei and completely destroyed a little over 20 years later during the revolutionary uprisings. Following the proposed workflow, we integrate data coming from: a still preserved preparatory stucco model, paintings and engravings showing the missing details of the 3D model, a series of urban views returning the proportion and positioning of the monument (statue, pedestal and base), a fragment of the right foot providing the statue size and the appearance of the original white Carrara marble. The final 3D digital model shows a faithful correspondence to the 2D sources and guarantees an effective user’s fruition thanks to dedicated virtual applications. Besides the scientific and cultural goal, we highlight the evocative role of this work, which has contributed to the restitution of a monument that is unknown to most citizens and visitors.

Three-Dimensional Digitization of Documentation and Perpetual Preservation of Cultural Heritage Buildings at Risk of Liquidation and Loss—The Methodology and Case Study of St Adalbert’s Church in Chicago

“…The author in [2] points out that obtaining digital 3D models allows for wear measurements of the external structure of the object and analysis of its surfaces and their colors. This applies to both small museum objects [3][4][5][6][7], sculptures and statues [8][9][10], as well as large architectural objects [11][12][13][14][15][16] or archaeological sites [17][18][19][20][21][22]. Data acquisition activities in 3D technology are carried out by various scientific and research communities representing many research centers in Europe (Italy, Spain, United Kingdom, France, Germany and Portugal, but also recently in Poland and Romania) and across the world: China, the USA, Australia, Japan and recently also Egypt, Iran and Uzbekistan [23].…”

Evaluation of an Augmented Reality for Historical Context Experiences of 3D Restored Court Paintings

“…A study to reproduce virtually historical and cultural areas that have disappeared [35] reconstructed the topography of a historical site in 3D using LiDAR. The equestrian monument of Francesco III d'Este [11], made in 1774, was destroyed and disappeared. However, the giant statue was reconstructed using 2D and 3D historical information based on small replicas and remaining large images, prints, and historical literature.…”

A quantitative analysis method on the scale, shape and quantity of rockeries in Chinese classical gardens - Taking Wanfang Anhe Rockery in the Old Summer Palace as an example

“…Currently, it has become a trend to apply 3D digital technology to help the research of cultural heritages. The research contents of cultural heritage digitalization cover digital mapping [1], model reconstruction [2][3], digital archiving and management [4][5], cultural heritage application practice [6][7], cultural heritage protection and analysis [8][9], etc. For example, digital surveying and mapping can be carried out using technologies such as oblique photography, laser scanning and aerial remote sensing; computers or modeling software are used to reconstruct 3D model automatically or manually or in a combination of both [10][11]; digital archiving and management of cultural heritages are carried out with the help of these information management systems based on semantic data such as GIS and BIM [12][13][14]; the application practice of using VR, AR, Unity, UE, etc.…”