The aim of the project is to perform the most exhaustive study to date on the state of conservation of Picasso's Guernica. This painting is an iconic piece in the Museum's collection and it warrants every possible conservation effort by the Museum.
The aim of the project is to perform the most exhaustive study to date on the state of conservation of Picasso's Guernica. This painting is an iconic piece in the Museum's collection and it warrants every possible conservation effort by the Museum. In 1998 an earlier study was performed on the state of conservation of Picasso's painting. Now, in 2012, fourteen years later, new research is underway, in a project that incorporates a number of technological advances, developing and implementing a modern automated system for the capture of digital images of extremely high resolution, which will subsequently be used for the creation of virtual scenarios that reflect all of the data obtained.
The study is based on a computer-guided robot being placed in the exhibition hall. The robot moves with great precision, at a distance of 25 micras from the work. The different cameras and sensors inside the robot gradually capture the images and data, with very high levels of precision, using visible and ultraviolet light, multispectral infrared imaging, 3D scanning, spectral reflectance, etc. which will produce millions of images and data with detailed information. It will thus be possible to obtain a large amount of data without touching the work. We will then be able to offer - to both the scientific community and the general public interested in this subject - very in-depth knowledge and never-before-seen images of the materials and techniques used in this masterpiece, a crucial work in the history of the 20th century.
Journey to the inside of Guernica is a research project being conducted by Museo Reina Sofía's Department of Conservation and Restoration. The project has been made possible by the support of Fundación Telefónica.
